January 2024

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A large abstract watercolor painting depicts two lovers in a bathtub surrounded by pink bubbles, Berlin-based artist Clemens von Wedemeyer displayed above the bed's headboard. A small box of Ritter chocolate with a gold card written note: Willkommen schatzi (welcome dear), is placed on top of a Chinese tea table next to a dark green velvet loveseat with Berliner Zeitung newspaper. Klaus has left. It was at this point that I experienced the ephemeral feeling of being in a romantic setting.  It is a fact: It was just me. After changing into a lavender silk jumpsuit, I went to the hotel's exhibition area. I met some of the participating artists from Europe and the United States. Music composer Joachim Knutzke will record an opera piece for the art liturgy extravaganza. His crew individually installed 34 Sennheiser (E8355) and Shure (KSM 44) microphones throughout the exhibition room to capture the precise sound of mechanical tools coordinated with baroque instruments of the 16th century. I felt as if someone was watching me. My instinct told me to turn the other way and there was Faiza, the Moroccan artist, I met in the hotel’s lobby. She waved hello to me. Her art liturgy performance that evening involved destroying a beautiful statue of two women.  A sad homage to the separation between her and her female friend who committed suicide.  Watching her performance later left a lasting impression.  This visual Drama is reminiscent of the Fellini 8 ½ movie scene. 

There were 16 tables staged in a large circle in the middle of the large room, covered with special sound-deafening black canvas. From 4 ft. to 6 ft. wide, individual paintings are laid face down. On some tables, sculptures were covered with peacock blue Muslim fabric with the slogan: L'art en Cendres, Art to Ashes imprinted in red. There was a 20-pound hammer on one of the tables. Art Hercules? Who is he? The artist was Claudio Mussione from Italy. Charming Italian looks. I was asked if I would like to interview him. “After you smash your artwork”, Claudio said: “In it, a man steals my girlfriend from me”. Laid on each table were different cordless tools like a Dremel for cutting (with noise reduction cover). The instruments collection includes Mererez clippers, a Karuki Japanese saw, a Damascus steel knife measuring one foot long, and other tools. In preparation for the assemblage of destruction, the first act has been completed. To myself, I said: “The time is two o'clock in the afternoon. My stomach is growling. I can almost smell the farm salad served on a lukewarm Wienerschnitzel (thin veal cutlet) at the Standige restaurant near the Arte Luise Kunsthotel and Brandenburg Gate in Berlin”. While I am eating, I am thinking about my upcoming interviews. As usual, my interview questions are spicy, personal, and romantic. I call this, an artist with a story interview.  Sure, there are always those who want to discuss the art money, such as the 2 million dollars' worth of Cy Twombly and Warhol’s paintings they have hanging in their Malibu residence. 

The investment prop is valued at millions of dollars to them. However, girl, let me tell you: “When you get a big smooch branded with MAC red lipstick on your abdomen...you are in a state of desire. You are entering the Titian atelier where the Roman poet Ovid reads a poem about passion, which is an essential theme to our existence”. However, some millionaires study art to learn about it. They wish to embark on an individualistic odyssey to discover their new painting. In their view, an art consultant is a salesperson. Yet, art consultants are necessary for art promotion. In addition to my daydream ending, I realized that my Fume Blanc glass was empty. The hotel was only a short walk away. It was time to take a nap before the Art Liturgy Extravaganza tonight. As I headed for the exit after paying the bill, I noticed a stylish man in a blue corduroy velvet suit. It was Jeff Koonz. “Jeff, is that your next artistic inspiration source? Art piece made of blue steel corduroy, a Teddy bear worth 10 million dollars?” Jeff replies laughing: “You have been hired as my blue inspiration”. I said: great compliment, I see you at the Art Liturgy tonight. Don't change your look, for my camera click. He looked to enjoy our chat. I was thinking, was it the ten million dollars Teddy bear, or joyous indulgence in a not-so-accidental tourist encounter? You all have prosperous days, next time we go into the midst of a one-of-a-kind art performance. Art Liturgy Art to Ashes, in the Arte Luise Kunsthotel, Berlin, Germany, kiss Lucienne. 

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