Gerhard Richter in the studio

[@MarkSeibold]

This is one of my favorite interviews with an artist ever. As a German American myself, I don't mind his broken English. In fact I think it is very heartfelt and truthful. He is very honest with his answers. I like the way he laughs at his own responses, as if he has a great sense of humor too.!

[@johnjohnson3709]

Mark Seibold I enjoyed this interview. He seems very genuine.

[@nomewmew]

@Xiaoxue Wang it is "easier" for him to do realistic paintings because they do not require as much physical work in opposition to his abstract paintings. He said that because the interviewer asked him if he painted his "two" styles at the same time or at different times, to which he responded that he did not and the reason is what you quoted him on :)

[@sarrasaffronpowell6154]

sensitive and vulnerable artist, great documentary - thanks for uploading x

[@shar1386]

I love how the interview looks for reasons and talks about limitations and Richters reaction is:" Why not." He sounds like such an interesting and kind soul.

[@lynnbaskind1119]

Enjoyed the interview - enlightening comments about the process of creation. As a creative artist, glimpses into the whole process of this exhibit were very insightful. THANK YOU GERHARD AND NICHOLAS

[@ohtheglamourmusic]

"These large abstracts, how do you know when they're finished?" "When nothing disturbs me and I have no idea what to do." Another literal laugh out loud moment. I always loved his work, but I think I also love this man.

[@ktc333]

ohtheglamourmusic Wonderful wonderful man.

[@garymingy8671]

When nothing disturbs me ...lies! It's all disturbing like 2 miles of knotted rope , ok -i stop- it's blown out , no mojo. Nowhere left to run .

[@dangervich]

It's a normal answer.

[@mimiseton]

I agree. Lovely person. Shy. Very sensitive. An intuitive. Not someone who over-intellectualises or talks in an ego-inflated Art-Speak. He says several times: life is hard - you sense his struggle and I for one feel with and for him.

[@sylviecarterartist]

@@mimisetontotally and well said

[@giselar.12]

Vielen herzlichen Dank, für das interessante Video. Gerhard Richter ist ein sehr sympathischer toller Mensch, sehr beeindruckend.🙏

[@hermanwills7440]

Excellent interview.really brings the artist behind these paintings to life as normally you look at photos of artists, their works , & have no idea how they actually sound & work.

[@ivanklymenko]

Gerhard Richter is my favorite contemporary artist. Thank you for the video. I was at the exhibition of Gerhard Richter in Prague - received kalasalny pleasure. I was also at his exhibition in Nuremberg.

[@BenxmannMBC]

such sweet man

[@mikebaginy8731]

A very fascination insight into some of Gerhard Richter's motivations. Thanks for a wonderful film.

[@JimHarrisArt]

I enjoyed seeing the grounds around his studio.

[@philhayhoe1]

...and the last shot, a snapshot of the camera crew. Wonderful to see this man I have admired for many years, in his studio, creating works that are so original in thought and perfect in execution.

[@walkingnerf4520]

Great video and insight. Lovely quotes from this master. Gerhard's studio is so clean. Oy! Makes me want to clean mine up before I paint tomorrow!

[@jonathansuit9908]

As an effort to contribute to the distribution of opinion in the comments, I'd feel that Richter is a persistently sensitive, adventurous, and thoughtful artist. Crafting an attractive image does not seem to be the goal here. His work, in my modest view, is among a small handful of the most influential and also meaningfully significant contributions to the progress of painting in the last 50 years.

[@Myst165]

I agree. What are your other influential artists?

[@peterstout6868]

Love this interview of Gerhard Richter.

[@sandorbarics2187]

I respect Gerhard Richters artworks and just gained a new appreciation for his view on art.

[@negoblle]

I think he communicates exceptionally :)

[@superstarr2013]

Fantastic! Thank you!

[@sdmodernart3882]

Love his work.

[@artecht2202]

Klasse Maler! Sehr netter Mensch, ich mag ihn.

[@artecht2202]

Ich mag Ihn immer noch !!

[@aidansmyth6480]

In one of his most highly regarded roles, Gerhard Richter was played by Peter Sellers.

[@alejandrasanchez1229]

Thank you for the video and the interview. Danke.Gracias al gran pintor.

[@trout211]

I feel exhaustingly calm listening to Mr Richter.

[@michaelmeathammer5688]

Never was a fan on abstract work but I really love his. I want to pick at the textures. The painting becomes an object. Really interesting work.

[@mikegurney4163]

All you can say to the nay sayers is, he did it and you didn't, he made a creative living from it and you can't, so get over it and get a life. This is a great Documentary of a great artist from realism to abstract and modernism.

[@genie6996]

Nice concise comment, Sir, on a concise and serendipitous documentary, which makes a beautiful well resolved short film.

[@johnjohnson3709]

I just discovered Richter even though I’ve seen his work a little in passing. I never knew he was so fantastic. I love his abstract paintings. I’ve always said abstracts are easy to do but a good abstract is hard to do. It’s not just throwing paint on a canvas.

[@victorgonzalez2499]

It's about moving the paint to make it become more than the paint

[@lisengel2498]

Great interview and video and wonderfull with the magnetic model of a museum - would be nice to play with

[@Zisch2]

Great movie, but maybe it would have been better to let him speak german and translate it

[@toomuchcyan]

+Zisch2 i totally agree. i feel like making him speak english takes away a lot of content from what his answers could have been

[@garymingy8671]

I agree , yet...he's a painter ,only the pictures mater I can to see...if I read that's different..we should not ask for words..I don't actually give a frolicking about his politics or his opinion at all , often btw I hate having to put stuff into words to explain - shut up an pay me , or just shut up ...my new life motto ... Thanks!

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

yup

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

It is very distracting to read subtitles, when viewing an art documentary. There are others where he speaks German. This is good for the English speaking world.

[@itsyou5436]

is he like this in general? i mean he doesnt seem like an highly intellectual/educated artist rather like a normal working class person who makes art from the way he talks!?

[@austinchaseofficial]

One of My favorite Artists of all time ❤

[@KEPHALLE]

Aside from his undeniable and indelible mark in the history of contemporary art, Gerhard seems a very humble and calm person, sweet and caring for his loved ones, with an almost child-like freshness and freedom to the perspective of his art.

[@PRAKASH-cm1vo]

Great Artist!

[@patchowh1987]

Wonderful paintings.

[@ulisesmachado1187]

Richter es maravillosa su pintura, es fantastica.

[@ohtheglamourmusic]

"How did you select these images from magazines?" "Maybe I tried to avoid these images that Warhol took..." I laughed out loud when he said that. He didn't spit out art psycho-babble, which, at least where I live, they literally teach you to make up in art school. Very real answer, very refreshing.

[@MarkSeibold]

I did the exact same thing in 1973, when I was 18 1/2, taking photo silkscreen printing as an art major at Mount Hood Community College near my home town of Portland Oregon. I began photographing my family as a young child with our parents Kodak box camera, that must have been "banal images", as Richter refers to them here. Then I purchased a more serious 35mm camera by the time I started art college at age 18 1/2, yet my intentions were to make masterpice oil paintings, and I was taking photography classes at the same time. My father was upset when he looked at my class schedule one day with our mother and said, look he's taking photography, he'll never learn how to use a paintbrush and paint again, [and he was absolutely right because that's what happened for the next 20 or 30 years for me, as my photography became more worldly known in astronomy photographs of the night sky being published in famous magazines, than my artwork. At the same time my father showed me how to cut out magazine faces as portrait photographs from magazines, soak them in solvent solutions, turn them over and transfer them to a clean sheet of paper. So I produced a large crowd, or an audience of people in this composited method, similar to what was just prior seen on The Beatles Sergeant Pepper's album cover. This was the exact same process that Robert Rauschenberg showed Warhol before he made his first silkscreen prints. What's even more ironic, is that Richter appears a lot like our German grandfather, [our father's father,] also German background. Richter must have seen these Warhol screen print images about five years earlier than I, yet Richter is about 18 years older than me. Even more ironic is that the interviewer here from the Tate Gallery in London is where my painting teacher at Community College in Gresham Oregon had exhibited his work at the Tate before he became a painting instructor, and I learnd later that he was a famous Oregon artist, and later the creator of the Pacific Northwest college of Arts, Jay Backstrand. Today, the college has taken over as the new Portland Art Museum Art School, where our father began to attend in 1949 taking painting lessons from the famous Louie Bunce, who was a friend of Jackson Pollock's. So this has gone full circle for me, and why I relate to this video so closely, as it shows how small the world really is.

[@svefre85]

@@MarkSeibold Wow, just wow. Can you post a link to your work?

[@ktc333]

ohtheglamourmusic Yes. Brilliant.

[@mercelloveras7453]

Amazing. Thank you!!

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

"Why do you make sculptures too" GR- "Why not?" LOVE HIM

[@jamesgeorgopoulosstudios]

one of the best living artist today. peroid

[@zpango2000]

James Georgopoulos lol wut

[@dr.melfreeman6328]

jealous?@@zpango2000

[@dogeeen]

Stunning artist and a fascinating character. This whole controversy around makes him even greater.

[@garnertullis100]

I just use and trust my eyes like Ryman and Richter who for me are the giants in painting in the 20th century !! However in the interview with Nick Serota, very well done by also one of the best, is enlightening in the fact that the dialogue between them is constructed like the dialogue in his working environment. Thank you for time you gave me for head food today ! Garner Tullis

[@droid_boy]

A soulful interview.

[@hnttakata713]

Sir Gerhard, thank you for making pain so beautiful.

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

It isnt´t by chance that it is called PAIN-ting !

[@magickmarck]

Love the assistant!

[@tylero8595]

20 years ago I could not understand his art and his personality. Now hes hilarious and his art is amazing. Its funny how getting older changes your ideas, perception and acceptance of life and art.

[@creativeresult]

The art you create ends up creating you.

[@oposkainaxei]

You can see an example of this developing in the movie „Synecdoche New York“.

[@MegaSammich]

i love his childlike demeanour, and that he doesnt take himself and what he does so serious.

[@monet23232]

Nicholas Serota looks very rude and arrogant. On the other hand Mr Richter looks like a humble, gentle, thoughtful intelligent man. What a contrast!

[@rolfschulte4747]

welcome to the world of art dealers ! (Or curators...?)

[@elsaritchie7949]

@@rolfschulte4747 curators* but art dealers would be much worse or more the less the same as Serota to be honest...

[@eveadair8817]

He corrects Richter and acts like a know-it-all, he's definitely taking advantage of his position. That's why the artist should have been let speak in his native language!

[@Rexlol]

funny i thought the same

[@elartedericardobenavides1647]

True artist!!!! Here is a true example of a true artist!!!

[@li6031]

"Gerhard Richter my inspiration" THANK YOU

[@MrRemorseless]

One of the most versatile artists alive. A modern master, most definitely.

[@sylviecarterartist]

A true artist. Humble, honest and interesting

[@winstonsmith5854]

What a wonderful film

[@josephorourke9070]

"why did you do it? "why not" "but its unusual for painters to make objects" .... this guy is the director of the tate, did he get there asking similarly worthless questions

[@genie6996]

I would not consider that question 'worthless' as you suggest in your comment, but well placed to open debate towards other arts and means of expression available to artists, poetry perhaps, reference to Richter's feelings and experience. The words 'honest' and 'subtle' and 'polite but surprising' may be better substitutes for 'worthless' in this case, which infers that the artist's answer was in some way less than meaningful and not educational, which was clearly not your intention.

[@rudysmith1445]

He does seem incredibly serious, which compared with RIchter's lightness almost makes him seem kind of...almost "mean", if you will. But that's just my take :p And, obviously I know he's not mean, he just seems very serious compared to Richter.

[@droid_boy]

The problem with his questions is not that they are worthless. They come from another world, the world of art market, museums and exhibitions. THe answers Richters show that so much, as he does not really know what to say. These are not the questions he is asking himself in his life. So as an interviewer myself I know it is very hard to connect to the interviewee, especially if it is something so unique as Richter. Maybe a question would have been: What do you ask yourself?

[@user-wg3wj6ur9z]

Leonardo, Bernini, Raphael, Picasso, Miro, Dali, Renoir, Matisse, Koons, Hirst, Johns, Indiana, were all painters who also sculpted.

[@amarynth100]

i didnt apreciate it at first . cause seemes to have no technique . but when you look at all his artworks together ....it's imposible not to get the clear message he sends ....he is not atached to life so much ,i felt a deep sadness and anger while he's working. but the final words came out of my mouth ....we are timeless beings...every work he made has no time in space. like a never end river . amazing feeling

[@JediMaster92]

What is the name of the music in the first 35 seconds of the video? Thank you to anyone who knows.

[@Armand235]

I asked the maker of the documentary, he told me that it was done by Adem Ilhan and Caroline Plummer in a special set at the 291 Gallery, years ago. I'm pretty sure it's not online anywhere.

[@mediumstudio]

the music is phenomenal

[@andreeam2037]

"Suddenly is finished. O, good, thanks". Lol. He is so right, you never know when a painting it's finished actually. You just look, and look and you decide "done". It's hard to start, it's hard to finish.

[@2151991]

whats the song?

[@sandratomboloni5519]

Gerrhsrd Richter è un GRANDE artista ,punto!

[@AX1A]

GR is a beautifully tortured being. Graceful in his pain. Distractedly focused. Clumsily precise. Irrefutably heroic in his vision. I often wonder if he appreciates his life as a painter, or whether he regrets having given so much to something as ultimately 'meaningless' (in the Warholian sense). Ultimately it strikes me as odd that a man of such character would be so wholly given to the arts. Regardless, I am eternally grateful he is.

[@willylewis1]

Not sure there is such thing as Warholian sense

[@AjarSensation]

You sound pretendious and egoist

[@arevelationcometolife.1354]

He is very talented. I feel like he was being attacked in the interview though. The questions were very raw and had edges.

[@natasico]

I just met Richter, but I think i know what you mean. I saw another documentary in german and it went deeper in his work. But some question did bother me a little like why he began making "sculpture". Thx 4 respond

[@sleaz88]

great interview . all this representation is a lesson to all

[@humanmodeproductions]

Anyone know what camera gerhard is using?

[@macscott]

Great soundtrack, Anyone know who it is?

[@austinchaseofficial]

Sounds like something Jonny Greenwood would compose

[@user-wg3wj6ur9z]

I like his color grids.

[@serbiarte]

Great video!

[@suiabf]

so beautifu!l

[@franciskodankandath210]

❤❤❤Artist Francis Antony Kodankandath, Kerala, India 🎉

[@orlandodabner359]

It is not unusual for a painter to make sculptures.

[@personalexperience3637]

Giacometti

[@antoniocasalduerorecuero9383]

In spanish, please. Subtitulado en español, por favor.

[@Chron_Dawg78]

he really is the best

[@ColourSoundAudio]

Greatest ever painter.

[@juancpgo]

I don't like the background music because it suggests an interpretation of the work. Or worse, it might change what it means. It's noise. I think it would be more ethical of any documentary on painting to be devoid of any music.

[@smihca]

Juan ...in deed silence is the only way. (...anyway, the music is not 'noise', to be fair)

[@juancpgo]

MayBe I didn't mean the music was not good, I mean its noise in the sense that noise affects signal.

[@MarkSeibold]

I am a 4th generation German American artist, as both of our parents and some grandparents were German artists. I found the music rather abstract and appropriate. What would you say if Gerhard Richter had chosen this music for the documentary?

[@kayem3824]

Its such a predictable, cliche music too. The whole thing is rubbish anyway.

[@MarkSeibold]

I'll ask again, what would you say if Richter chose the background music? Take a look at the Wikipedia chapter on his 'Art'. It states that he chose to pair it with modern minimalist composers, John Cage, and Steve Reich, and other modern 20th century composers. Some of the opening music sounds identical to the soundtrack in Wim Wenders- Wings of Desire. I wonder if it's the same composer.

[@lloydstraight8764]

His work begun with a tear and end with a sea

[@randygeyer3336]

Your personal perspective is so different from immersion in art

[@Djmarissaromano]

Was that an interview or an interrogation?

[@mikedunkle6709]

another great master of paint....

[@randygeyer3336]

Help is always important.

[@lockard4323]

Why does this director looked so pissed off the whole time lol

[@MaJelArt]

Mr. Gerhard, man I love your art, why are your colors so much brighter than mine? Also, on photo paintings any advice, when your background is too sharp? Anyway, I would really appreciate it if you check out some of my art and give me some advice. I would love to send you some examples, but cannot figure out how to get in touch. Anyway if find a moment check out my art and tell me what you think. You can find my art on my channels Mark Lawson, MaJel Art on Tumblr, or in my books Series Greystone: A Walk with a Child of God. Again, thanks for all you do, you are a treasure to the world of Art.

[@jward8868]

There is always something rather disturbing about Serota - I don’t know what it is though - but disturbing

[@HypoliteMaindron]

the interview is like an interrogation

[@harrycartwright466]

Why does Nicholas focus only on education and in particular the establishments of his study? As if to say without these schools we would never have found his love for art and painting?

[@sergiopiva4340]

yes

[@TheTukTuk2008]

Great!

[@dalicloud9]

its super disappointing to see this has only been viewed 285,000 times. i know i've watched this at least four times.

[@ChristianParley]

God Richter

[@joannapoff1021]

hallo

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

🙌 👏 🙏 🤝 👍 GOD IS A CREATOR !

[@1ThinkinginEnglish]

Does he say - Paintings show what isn't there at about 18.20?

[@ktc333]

Thinking in English I think so.

[@xhanrahan]

The power of sincerity, as oppose to...

[@adamcomedy5018]

My opinion on modern art...Let them do what makes them happy if they make a good living out of it the better. But what I think about modern art is I see it as there are quite many nice works made by people, some knowledge about colors, if you have a good knowledge what goes together well, it will make it more possible the final work would look better. But I prefer classical art, impressionists are great as well, they are quick workers but I see something in there something more specific. When I look at a bunch of splatters I don't see much in it. I could maybe imagine something under it so on the other hand, you can do it with modern art.

[@relinquis]

I've seen his exhibition at the tate and i have to admit that i liked it. can you give me a couple of examples of "non-fake" contemporary artists to check out?

[@FaisalZagoo-n5s]

It is not difficult to make abstract paintings but to explain them.

[@theamericanvan9960]

Gerhard is cool.

[@jamespotts8197]

The "value" of abstract art is beyond subjective, such depictions are of such a personal nature, and as far as artistic painting skills are concerned the "Masters of Antiquity" are the real and or true artists.

[@lookatpalacios]

Hier sieht man wie Gefühle auf Arroganz, klare Strukturen durch Erziehung und Bildung aufeinander stossen!

[@2151991]

wie ?

[@MarionWebber]

You can tell he is an artist, a painter because he says more with paint that words.

[@danpeligrad7030]

A REAL MASTER !

[@Amp1771]

Most artists are nowadays anyway because they found out they can get fame and money from it. Art is nothing more than creating some new, and buyers either want something because it's new and the first appearance of a style or method or because they enjoy it. It's a lot like collecting comic books.

[@randygeyer3336]

When you think other people who are not artists position things. What is positioning?

[@HypoliteMaindron]

is this an interview or an interrogation?

[@sunnysu5757]

I think the gap between Gerhard and Nicolas is that Gerhard is very much led by intuition, almost innocently, whilst Nicolas, an art historian as he is, was trying to comprehend, or even dissect that intuition with a theoretical framework.