Gerhard Richter Interview: In Art We Find Beauty and Comfort

“I don’t really believe art has power. But it does have value. Those who take an interest in it find solace in art. It gives them huge comfort.” Gerhard Richter, one of the greatest painters of our time, discusses beauty in the era of the Internet in this rare interview.
“These days, beauty is not in fashion,” says Richter, who has explored painting and its role in image culture for decades on his quest for a form of painting that corresponds to contemporary challenges. Quoting German author Thomas Mann, who predicted a change in art, Richter says: “Art will shed all of its gravity and transform into something merry and democratic.” But art has, in Richter’s view, surpassed even that. “It’s now more than merry. There has never been so much art … We don’t need it. We need entertainment. Sensations.” Beauty, however, is not lost for the artist: “Beauty is an ideal of mine as much as it ever was … But beauty is being discredited when fashion and models are called beautiful.”
Boasting a diverse catalogue of paintings, Richter has always been suspicious of staying with the same motive and painterly strategy: “It’s more interesting to be insecure. You should have a measure of uncertainty and perplexity.” The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art recently acquired one of Richter’s 10 metre stripe-paintings, supplementing it’s collection of works by, and long standing relationship with, a painter who is considered the most important of the post-war era. As an incessant voice in contemporary German painting for more than half a century, he has witnessed the development of his country since World War II and in this light his resume of the state of affairs of his native country seems uplifting: “Actually we have the same or similar problems as all other countries nowadays… we’re looking ahead.”
Gerhard Richter (b. 1932) was a professor at the Düsseldorf Art Academy from 1971-1994 and is the recipient of numerous prizes, among other the Golden Lion at the 47th Venice Biennale in 1997 and the 1998 Premium Imperial Prize. His paintings have been shown extensively, e.g. at the Tate Galleries, London, UK and at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, USA and his work is held in major collections around the world.
Gerhardt Richter was interviewed by Anders Kold at his studio in Cologne, Germany, in September 2016.
Camera: Klaus Elmer
Edited by: Klaus Elmer
Produced by: Marc-Christoph Wagner
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2016
Supported by Nordea-fonden

[@Lasher500]

Totally honest and without a trace of guile. The more I learn about Richter, the more I admire him.

[@wolfgangmuller8651]

Honestly and without a trace of guile. The more I know about Richter, the more I despise him. But you have to get to know him personally ... and you probably haven't - but I did!

[@jankindem3944]

I fully agree with you!

[@williamwhite999]

He is one of our great artists.

[@wilfriedbergmann2753]

Genious interview! What he is saying is nothing but the truth. That does not mean Isolation, it only means that every country has its own stand! No way to mix 525 million people in Europe together! To live in peace is what everybody wants and to live the variety of their country!

[@jennyhughes4474]

Thank you for this - and for the english subtitles!

Richter said: Art is the desire of finding God.

[@MrSebboxxx]

I think he failed 🙂

[@briancomforti3890]

@@MrSebboxxx oh hi satan, whatr u doing here!

[@ReallyFilthyToad]

Came here from the movie 'Never Look Away' (which is inspired by Richter's life). Very smart, likeable guy.

[@triley934]

Brilliant. Interesting. Honest. I think he is profound. Thank you for posting.

[@anthonymorton3074]

Thank you so much Louisiana for bringing this to us all around the world! thanks from Cape Town

[@dadada8541]

great move to destroy the reputation of this old man for your ego.

[@anthonymorton3074]

Bru, get out of here. He is a real person not an art God, well perhaps both. What makes you say that though?

[@dadada8541]

Anthony Charles Morton was laberst du?

[@henryletham1984]

Great interview. Beautiful comment about Germany today. The king of CAPITALIST realism is a master.

[@Nerflover10097]

Amazing artist. Such a humble man brimming with intelligence. He's a realist but isn't blunt about it.

[@lindacummings3459]

Published on Nov 15, 2016 “I don’t really believe art has power. But it does have value. Those who take an interest in it find solace in art. It gives them huge comfort.” Gerhard Richter, one of the greatest painters of our time, discusses beauty in the era of the Internet in this rare inte

[@emanuelalucaci642]

Gerhard Richter is probably the greatest artist of this century. I believe his political statement has to do with his experience as an artist in a society that failed communism and is failing capitalism. I totally understand his position bringing a larger view on what is happening now and the dangers we face as a “société du spectacle” rather than a humanist society. We keep on making mistakes and the world of tomorrow will face this lack of art as beauty.

[@heyguysinternet]

Capitalism is failing society -- not the other way around. And it should be. An economic system that stresses privileged, private concentrations of wealth will never be a part of a truly democratic civilization.

[@henryletham1984]

Failing capitalism, moron? Are you crazy? You both tell in his face that bullshit you have been said, fuckers. Richter would gone nuts with that absurd! My God, this generation is a garbage

[@peterposto8984]

Unbelievable - an artist and intellectual with brains!

[@sofa5115]

an artist must be an intellectual with brains, or else we're not talking about a true artist

[@mariaholvoegouras936]

A dying breed....

[@wolfgangmuller8651]

An artist and intellectual with brains? I can't see the intellect in the blah blah blown away …

[@cliffdariff74]

Speaks so honestly its great.

[@jacekpokrak9258]

Is art the good that is available only to a few sensitive people who feel differently? If so, then this is why outstanding artists often have problems with acceptance in life. Today, when social media is available, it is easier to reach people who love art, and thus even the living can gain recognition. There is a constant search for new means of artistic expression adequate to the times, as well as directions. Undoubtedly, COMPMATURISM is today the most promising direction that takes into account the artistic needs of people.

[@michelelamberti1327]

größter künstler deutschlands

[@michaellowton5981]

In art we find beauty and comfort - kommt ganz auf die Kunst an.

[@martinapetroll455]

Kommt ganz auf den Betrachter an 😉

[@nikolausbaumgarten]

Mr. Richter can afford to invite a lot of people to his dinner table.

[@Bright-It]

Money can buy dinner, but our brain can not handle the willing problems created by others.

[@bigjohndavid1]

Yes, there has to be some tension to make it engaging to do.

[@vancoosh]

The translation is a mess.

[@eriknieminen]

Around 8:02 there's a rather "interesting" translation of his actual words...

[@mrjamesasable]

@ErikNieminen what did he actually say? You can email me instead if that's preferred. His thoughts on immigration are rather surprising to me but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised considering his age and the old world he is from.

[@mrjamesasable]

Welp, this guy just lost a fan. Really appreciate the sincere translation, sir. -dissapointed halfrican artist

[@eriknieminen]

still a great painter... one can't remove that. A shame about what could be his views though.

[@MarkSeibold]

I believe that all of the European languages pronounce the word for the color black to sound in that similar way, but they don't consider it a racially expressed word. We must consider that other languages don't necessarily sound like our words in English Then on the contrary, these European languages hold many of our original root words, later translated to English.

[@hd-xc2lz]

More questions about state of art and painting, fewer about German State. Please.

[@MrMfaust5]

Voll respekt zu Herr Richter; Gott Segne Sie.

[@elianecosta1014]

Parabéns Sr Richter.

[@150ultraviolet8]

As a black person and someone who admires Richter's work, I am terribly disappointed by his derogatory reference to black people, using the n-word. His weak political position regarding immigration was also troubling.

[@apanhadordearrepios]

very disappointing indeed

[@felipeqpires]

terribly disappointed too, the whole opnion about refugeus is too very shallow and full of prejudice...maybe he should stick to painting and stay quiet about matter outside his easy confort zone

[@ruthconner7054]

His sociopolitical views certainly aren't his best thinking. But "Neger" in German translates as "Negro" in English; perhaps it also translates as the n-word--I don't know--but I do know that there are other slang-ish German words that clearly translate as the n-word.

[@judilynn9569]

@@ruthconner7054 When I heard the word, I realized it refers to "black". The problem is, that is not a race. It would have been more appropriate for him to say "African" just as he said "Danish".

[@judilynn9569]

Totally agreed.

[@ben-btl]

Good interview, really great job!

[@Willburys]

Richter ist einer der prägensten Maler und Künstler der Gegenwart. Auch Neo Rauch mag ich !

[@florianbenjamin8285]

@Das Mädchen ohne Nase: Wie kommst Du darauf, dass Homosexualität ein Symptom einer neuronalen Funktionsstörung ist? Als Psychologe kann ich Dir sagen, dass dies eine Fehleinschätzung ist. Mich interessiert aber gerade deswegen, woher Du diese Info hast. Kannst Du mir eventuell die Quelle nennen? Danke vorab und Grüße

[@pedromarques3539]

Gerard Richter has some good paintings and definitely inspired many young artists to visualize the art of the future but his latest work about stripes was already invented and it was really fashionable in many countries not long ago. It makes me think that these stripes are just good for decorate the walls, if you take a close look to furniture shops that is the most banal thing you can find "stripes". Furniture shops are filled with these sort of stripes, as a viewer and an artist I cant take any new information from this work, I cant read any feelings or any sort of expression from Richter in these works. Apologize for my sincere opinion but unfortunately I couldn't find the future in his latest work. Humans are one step to be outsmarted by artificial intelligence and art its the only thing that distinguish us from advanced technology and other animals in this world. Art express the deepest feelings of human it always followed technology and inspired to build and shape our cities. The art of the future requires something more complex in terms of expressing feelings a more intense and at the same time a simple visual experience to the viewer. I would consider these stripes a pop culture thing and not modern anymore. Richter was quite bold when created these new pieces but who wouldn`t the man is already a celebrity in the art world.

[@thobraa]

How is pop culture not a subset of modernism?

[@plywoodcarjohnson5412]

One of the 250 richest men on earth. But first he became professor. Me? I am just a cab driver who paints sometimes. Do I still like it? To some extent yes. But if I want to take it to the next level? Well at least I have the opportunity. You may wonder how. I would have to Challenge the world order. Get upset by recent events and paint about it. So "the power" and the political questions woven into this by the reporter are highly intelligent. Challenging the world order today, among artists? Eddie Izzard could have done it. But he turned Completely into politics. Very questionable.

[@5studios1room]

Nice, but I think art is very powerful, more than anything. Just look on how they constantly want to have it in control.

[@ronaris1307]

Nice wisdom.

[@HolgerHendel]

Words of wisdom.

[@Emanes32]

How is visual beauty different from entertainment? It is also visual stimulation, sensations....

[@DavidAndersonKirk]

Greatest living painter. . . .

[@garlandstrife]

The greatest Artist alive

[@yvettep1093]

Wow unbelievable how stupid and political the questions were towards the end!

[@Yanaschaf]

Stupid were his answers. And he was wrong. Wir haben es geschafft. Time has proved him and all other racists and xenophobes wrong.

[@lisaxoxo815]

@@Yanaschaf wtf hast du eine Sekunde zugehört?

[@lisaxoxo815]

@@Yanaschaf es war seine Ansicht akzeptiere das mein freund

[@anodyne57]

@@fckcptlsm Euro-troll I assume?

[@michaellowton5981]

Als wenn es darum ginge zwangsweise jemanden zum Essen einzuladen. Vielleicht sollte der Mann einfach den Rand halten. Punkt. Und wegen meiner was malen...

[@anschmohel3515]

Ich möchte nur 1000. Teil auf meinem Konto, der Wert seiner Bilder gesamt. z.Zt. gesamt ca. 880.000.000€

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

I think people that like him don't understand him

[@jensgleisberg9659]

Nur die "Schönheit rettet die Welt"

[@leekee2578]

Pet shop boys brought me here

[@jaytetzlaff]

Richter sounds like he may be as isolationist as Trump,wish I'd never seen this video.I really like alot of his work.

[@vapeangel2953]

jay tetzlaff okay now special snowflake ❄️ don't get triggered on us

[@cliffdariff74]

Do you actually think its okay to welcome all foreigners to Germany? Or any country for that matter? Do you have any intelligence? He is speaking from an adult, responsible position. Not a silly political slogan.

[@jessewaughcom]

Funny how you can’t avoid being a thought criminal now-a-days no matter how leftist you may have been in the past.

[@christinemontano6607]

There is a documentary Gerhardt Richter Painting that goes into detail about his painting process if you are interested in learning moare about his art. He is a famous artist who invented his own giant squeegee thing to make huge paintings with that method.

[@jcmangan]

Also ist jetzt alles Zufall, oder gibt es bestimmte Pattern? Der Typ widerspricht sich doch in jedem 2. Satz.

[@chargedoymachine]

these translations are atrocious

[@abigailhe7729]

He’s still my favorite artist but I have to admit he is quite conservative on the immigration topic.

[@BlackStarASMR]

I'd say he's not a conservative, but on the extreme right and a racist.

[@vince71362]

@@BlackStarASMR that's just your ignorance talking.

[@vince71362]

Displaying common sense makes him a "bad" conservative? Wow.

[@MrSebboxxx]

In my opinion, he is subject to a misconception that art should only consist of beauty and comfort - that is exactly the reason why he is overrated ...

[@hshdmglddnj1]

Yes, his art is fascinating. But we must see and confess that it is not okay at all that he uses the n-word (played down by translating it wrong to 'black'). The n-word is an insult in German language and using it is boosting discrimination. Everyone in Germany knows this. No discussion. Nice art. Horrible choice of words.

[@franzbiberkopf9179]

Oh please, you average Germans are so terribly brain-washed and boring with your senseless politically correctness. He just did a joke, you simpy didn't get it at all.

[@AkwaIbomDoll]

@@franzbiberkopf9179 are you on drugs? how dare you minimise a racial slur with centuries long associations of trauma and dehumanisation to “jokes”. Jesus Christ please shut the fuck up

[@axelrikn4498]

From 7:33 on Mr. Richter makes some pretty racist comments. I am very interested if this is something the Louisiana Museum supports or not.

[@Ben-rz3cw]

Who gives a fuck about what the Louisiana museum supports, you came to hear Richters thoughts not to be lectured by some organization

[@Scubaman8]

There’s nothing racist about what he says. He says he disagrees with open immigration policies. That’s not racism

[@alanking1461]

There has never been so much art he says what he should have said is there has never been so much bollocks

[@portra_services]

Rather less contemporary political views though

[@mauriziopiccolo440]

SOPRAVALUTATO !

[@josevinuelagonzalez5300]

Así planchada así, así. Así planchaba así así. Así planchaba que yo la vi.

[@HeSpeaksFluentJapanese]

Bob Ross > Richter

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

Wieso ? Der gute Bob ist doch viel bescheidener . . .

[@christianweidner8484]

Ouch, I wish I would have not watched this video. Beside the fact that he gets lost in what he wants to convey, saying 'Neger' in Germany is one of the most racist terms. He can't distinguish a Dane (which is a nationality) from a 'Neger' (which is just a racist description for a black person). Puh. The older he gets, the more difficult becomes his integrity. The translation is not always correct; e.g. he doesn't talk about immigration, but of big changes of societies/countries in general: 'Umwälzungen'.

[@peterposto8984]

"Black" person is politically incorrect. Political correct characterization: An "extremely pigmented" person. Shame on you, left racist!

[@christianweidner8484]

Peter Posto so you say 'extremely pigmented lives matter '?

[@christianweidner8484]

It is a racist term. You are the one who is supposed to educate yourself before commenting. Read it here for example: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negro ''In German, Neger was considered to be a neutral term for black people, but gradually fell out of fashion since the 1970s. Neger is now mostly thought to be derogatory or racist.''

[@christianweidner8484]

Okay, I don't understand where all your anger comes from to attack me personally to such an extent. I believe in a changing language and that language shapes our thinking and therefore our behavior towards others. And if it leads to the fact people feel less offended, it's a good thing. As a matter of fact, the term hurts people's feelings (as much as it does when other people call me a fag bec I am gay) and why would we want this to happen? Let's conclude we do not agree on the subject. I wish you a nice day though!

[@christianweidner8484]

Have a gay day!

[@DieterBrehmsIIPACK]

Danke für die mittlerweile mutigen Worte, Hr.Richter! (Asylkritik)

[@henrybogle8437]

Wow, my hero is a bit of a right winger😮

[@BlackStarASMR]

Not only a bit, he's extreme right wing and a racist.

[@michaellowton5981]

Unsymphatisch.

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

. . . er war nicht immer so . . .

[@skilocus]

Another artist is a racist ffs

[@amiravogt469]

Gerhard Richter ist etwas verloren mit dem Instrument Sprache

[@AL_THOMAS_777]

So what . . .he´s a p a i n t e r, not a "Laberer" . . .

[@passamaquoddy8311]

Modells sehen schön aus. Das stimmt ja gar nicht. Die sehen doof aus!

[@iliveinarichgirlsdream]

The fuck is his problem with models and fashion 🤣 I get the fashion aspect but a lot of what goes on in the fashion world is art forms itself, and as for commenting on the models he’s in no position to speak

[@iliveinarichgirlsdream]

Great video otherwise

[@cloudcloud1]

*Der hängende Jesus am Kreuz ist Elend, Albtraum und sonst für mich nichts...!*

[@messergabel]

cloudcloud1 jau! Und der Kinderficker auch! Recht hast du, Bruder! Nieder mit allen Religionen! Es lebe die Liebe ohne Indoktrination! ❤️ Ich wünsche Dir viel Friede und Licht

[@cloudcloud1]

messergabel hoffentlich keinen Frieden auf dem Islam-Friedhof... :))

[@TheLily97232]

Older artists talking about beauty without clearly defining what it means to them sounds like "today sucks, before was better". Expand your point, sir ! He does have a point on sensation and entertainment though