“Lives of Artists, Lives of Architects” is a fascinating series of interviews that Hans Ulrich Obrist held with some of the most important protagonists of contemporary art and architecture. Inspired by Vasari’s legendary Principe, Obrist draws on his conversations with such figures as David Hockney, Gerhard Richter, Louise Bourgeois, Rem Koolhaas, and Oscar Niemeyer. These are interviews that probe the creative processes, philosophies, and personal journeys that shaped their phenomenal careers as artists and architects.
Interviewing Style
Rarely does any interviewer share his mind as candidly as Hans Ulrich Obrist does. His conversations are not constrained to any framework but flow like a river, at times also mapping the creative journeys of his subjects. It is a writing style that speaks very much to Obrist’s unique approach to communication, so the book becomes as much about him as it is about the creatives he interviews. He intentionally avoids formal settings to let his interviewees go deeper into the truths behind their work and identity. For instance, the interview with Louise Bourgeois tells the sad story of a chambermaid-albino seducing her brother; this contextualizes all her works with human stories.
In an interview, Rem Koolhaas provides insight from within the architectural world. He describes his experiences as part of a think tank assigned to study the image of Brussels. This goes to show that the architectural process is intrinsically collaborative, drawing on a number of disciplines. The book also offers insight into the personal experiences that have molded these artists and architects. Though the book is rich in insight, one or two readers have mentioned that some dialogue can be confusing and overwhelming. Some of the dialogues are difficult to understand for readers without having contextual information or footnotes; they may be unfamiliar. Similarly, David Hockney’s excitement about the technological change in the History of Art gives a clue to his thinking through a creative boundary-pushing, merging tradition and innovation.
Innovation and creativity
A recurring theme throughout this book is the constant development of creativity in the different arts. Hans Ulrich Obrist reflects various statements on how transformations in society, technology, and cultural turns have developed in creating art as well as architecture. For instance, the interview with Rem Koolhaas, an architect, develops the idea that urban design within a city plays a huge role in developing modern society and the need for a combined alliance between professions. These give the readers further insight into the interconnection between structures, politics, sociology, and technology. The artists themselves also give interesting contributions to how their work relates to the world. Gerhard Richter discusses the interplay between abstraction and realism in his work, exploring how these two seemingly opposing elements might exist within a single piece of art. These interviews drive home the intellectual depth that underpins artistic and architectural endeavors, making this book a vital resource for aspiring designers.
One of the most captivating interviews was with the late visionary architect Zaha Hadid, celebrated for her truly groundbreaking designs and steadfast commitment to innovation. Hadid’s discussions with Hans Ulrich Obrist reveal an unrelenting search for new forms, a rejection of old norms, and an ability to reconsider the relationship between architecture and space from within. While speaking, she shared her inspirations, ranging from Russian architecture to natural systems of watercourses. She considered how Iraq’s upbringing shaped the cultural and design perspectives that later framed work. Hadid describes her exploration of unconventional materials and digital technologies to express her bold values.
Obrist’s Administrator’s Note
While the book by Hans Ulrich Obrist is acclaimed for its depth, those who have not been introduced to the topic will struggle through it. There is no thorough introduction, and at some points, references are unclear; that forces readers to either study on their own or live with question marks. Although this is the part that may challenge casual readers, it’s also what makes this work a goldmine for those interested in following through the many references and themes explored. It makes this book one of the clearest examples of Obrist as a curator not just of exhibitions but of ideas. His ability to connect unrelated fields and practitioners is typical of his dream of a world in which art and architecture are integral to general social and philosophical debate.
In the interviews, Hans Ulrich Obrist comes across as more a fount of knowledge than an authoritarian figure, which also says something about his gift for conversation. Another important aspect of Lives of Artists and Architects is its international outlook. Obrist’s interviews provide readers with various cultural perspectives and insight from artists such as Architects Oscar Niemeyer, who discusses his projects he conducted in Brazil, to Zaha Hadid, who focused on her avant-garde approach to architecture. This contrasts even further in how creativity can embody one apparent and distinct creative unit and, at the same time, create immense cultural differences.
Key Points for Readers
Several key insights can be obtained from Hans Ulrich Obrist’s book. The bottom line of the book is that it underlines the role of curiosity and openness within the creative process. Obrist’s skill at eliciting multiple perspectives on his subjects reminds one that great art and architecture often result from personal, at times uniquely circuitous or anarchic, processes of problem-solving and self-expression. Interdisciplinary thinking is stressed in several parts of the book. It is here that Obrist’s interviews so often reflect a sense of artists and architects inspiring each other, encouraging readers to get outside the box. The ultimate endorsement here is for a spirit of inquiry. It is a stimulus for readers to go through challenges, achievements, and philosophies of famous creators and to ponder their own creative journeys and how they too can leave their mark.
Lives of Artists, Lives of Architects by Hans Ulrich Obrist is much more than a book of interviews; it is an intellectual and emotional description of reflections of a number of the most important figures in contemporary art and architecture. The chaotic structure and complete lack of contextualization at times make it a book not for every reader, but those who will bear its informal style will find themselves surrounded by a fount of insight and inspiration. Indeed, Obrist is such a virtuoso of capturing his guests creatively that the book must be on every artist’s and architect’s, or more generally every interested reader’s, reading list for this exact reason.
Citations:
- Obrist, H.U. (2015) Lives of the Artists, Lives of the Architects. London: Penguin Books.
- The Independent (2015) Lives of the Artists, Lives of the Architects by Hans Ulrich Obrist: Book review. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk.
- The Art Newspaper (2015) The Lives of the Artists according to Hans Ulrich Obrist. Available at: https://www.theartnewspaper.com.
- Goodreads (n.d.) Lives of the Artists, Lives of the Architects by Hans Ulrich Obrist. Available at: https://www.goodreads.com.
- Amazon (n.d.) Lives of the Artists, Lives of the Architects by Hans Ulrich Obrist. Available at: https://www.amazon.com.
Images:
- Book cover [Photograph] (https://www.penguin.com.au/books/lives-of-the-artists-lives-of-the-architects-9780141976648)
- Lawrence R. Hans Ulricht Obrist. WSJ. Magazine. [Photograph] (https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-day-in-the-life-of-hans-ulrich-obrist-1472485717)
- Hans Ulrich Obrist interviews Hadid [Photograph] (https://www.juliet-artmagazine.com/en/homages-to-zaha-hadid/)
- Cathedral of Brazilia by Oscar Niemeyer [Photograph] (https://www.aventuradobrasil.com/blog/oscar-niemeyer–brazils-greatest-architect/ )
