Enigma at Galerie Andreas Binder

Gallerist Nora interviewed by Julius Johansson 8/11 2023

“When you have a closer look they have a light “within”, it makes them kind of glistening and walking around makes them vivid things. I think the artist plays with that in different ways. This is a very strong and colorful piece, I can’t help it, I have to look at it!”

Abstract, yet traces of figurative motives. A photographer, painter or sculptor? Blue or green? Ocean or desert, have I been here before? The works of Giovanni Castell started to bring up questions in me having seen them only on screen. When I enter Galerie Andreas Binder the colorful pieces on the walls makes an immediate impact, with no one else in the rooms I find myself stuck in front of many of the pieces as they carry such depth. They appear as portals to worlds and destinations far away, places where those initial questions of mine might be answered. Before starting the interview I sit down and change some of the prepared questions, surrounded by the art it seems natural that this should be the location for the interview, rather than the office in the back. 

I sit down with Nora, who is a gallerist at Galerie Andreas Binder. She is also an art-historian currently working her PhD in Art History. 

First of all, thank you for taking time for this interview. To begin with, could you describe this gallery in general?

“A very special thing about this gallery is that it’s a family business, it’s run by Monica and Andreas and they are a married couple. Since it’s a family business we are a pretty small gallery, only the three of us working which makes it pretty intense. Doing everything on our own gives us the opportunity to work very closely with both our customers and artists. There is a lot of hard work, but even more passion that fits within these walls.”

Nora looks around smiling, and continues:

“When it comes to the program, I would describe galerie Andreas Binder as very unique in Munich as we are working with very young artists but also somehow established ones that we support. Hence this variety of our program, we can be interesting to many different people.”

This gallery has been working with contemporary art since the opening in 1991, and I am curious about what Nora has to say about the art-scene in Munich in general. As you mentioned earlier you have lived in Munich for only 4 months, what is your impression of the contemporary art-scene in Munich?

“To be honest, I think there are a lot of young artists in this city that I feel for, and I made some visits to the Akademie der Kunst. A lot of potential. When it comes to giving a platform to these young artists I feel like there could be more done. As Munich is a very traditional city, you can see that reflected in the art world as well. In that regard our gallery and others like us are doing an important job for the contemporary art in Munich, but of course there is more to be made.”

Tell me about the current exhibition “Enigma” by Giovanni Castell. What is special about this exhibition?

“The artworks themselves are special, considering the colours and the technique being used. That makes you interested immediately. I feel like this could be new to a lot of people, something they have never seen before. Compared to previous exhibitions, this is very unique.”

I noticed the grey “frame” at every piece, it kind of captures the artwork and at the same time fades into it.

Yes, this is part of Castells technique, part of the process and working with epoxy as his material. He kind of “plants” the art into the material, if that makes sense?

From far away, the first thing you notice about the exhibition is the strong coloring and use of contrast. Having a closer look, which one of the artworks makes the strongest impact on you?

Is difficult to answer, some of them have a very strong impact on me but in different ways. I also want to add that yes, you are correct, the coloring is an aspect that absolutely catches peoples eyes. On the other hand, the light. When you have a closer look they have a light “within”, it makes them kind of glistening and walking around makes them vivid things. I think the artist plays with that in different ways. This is a very strong and colorful piece, I can’t help it, I have to look at it! The associations I get, cold and warm at the same time as they meet. I feel very calm when I see this piece.  

The exhibition is starting tonight, in a few hours, what are your expectations on how it will be received amongst critics and the public?

Surprised and pleased at the same time. That’s how I would describe it, considering the reactions of some of the collectors we have worked with for a long time. These artworks will speak to a lot of people. 

A lot of people tonight? 

Nora waits with her answer, while looking out of the big windows. When she returned to the question with a big smile, the answer is: “Yes, I think so. On the last exhibition we had the weather was beautiful, it was still summer. Today is also a beautiful day, but people don’t go to the beer gardens anymore.”

She continues:

“The artist has a very big network and we as a gallery have a very nice and supporting network. These objects need to be seen in reality, not only on screen.”

One of the themes of the exhibition can be described as “the loneliness of the individual in society”, how is the gallery connected to that theme?

“I saw your question before and started to think. As I mentioned earlier I have not worked here that long. I wouldn’t say that loneliness is a theme of the gallery, we have a very diverse program. This theme is unique to the artist and I wouldn’t call it the main-theme of the exhibition either. Although, it is in the back of the artist’s mind and if you are aware of that you can definitely read it into the artworks. It’s a theme that fits our broad spectrum of contemporary art.”

What role does contemporary art play in society, as being able to comment on important issues as for example loneliness?

“A difficult topic, such a diverse field! There is art where you need some help, someone to bring the art to you in a way? This is an aspect of contemporary art that puts it further away from society than older art, already being part of the cultural kanon. Sadly, contemporary art is not as accessible to some people and that makes my profession interesting, finding ways of communication between art and society.”

The duration of the exhibition Enigma by Giovanni Castell at Galerie Andreas Binder is November 09 – December 22, 2023.

Enigma: someone or something that is mysterious and impossible to understand.