Art is an Excuse: An Interview with Felipe Ehrenberg
Afterimage, Apr. 1983, v. 10, no. 9, pp. 12-18
Author Martha Gever interviews Felipe Ehrenberg about his theories around why one might make art. Ehrenberg believes that people are compelled to make art for reasons other than making art. That is to say that making art, or art iteself, is as an excuse to accomplish another goal, whether it be to meet people and initiate friendships, to form a line of communication, or even create ideological manipulation, to name a few. The article mainly focuses on Ehrenberg's independent publishing activities in Mexico and his ideas about the intricate relationship between art and politics.
Ehrenberg himself is an artist, accomplished in many different mediums, including painting, bookmaking, photography, film, and video. He is also a performance artist and a creator of happenings.
ITEM 1983.069 – available for viewing in the Research Centre
Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited
Vanishing Rubbish Pile – Felipe Ehrenberg
Rencuentro – Felipe Ehrenberg
Pussywillow – Felipe Ehrenberg
String-Event – Felipe Ehrenberg
Chicles, Chocolates y Cacahuates – Felipe Ehrenberg
Aktual Schmuck – Felipe Ehrenberg
24 Hour Block – Felipe Ehrenberg
Mi Primer Libro – Felipe Ehrenberg
La Dura del Hueso / Ladi Guidi Sti Dxita (The Hard Skin of Bone) – Felipe Ehrenberg
Curso de Capacitacion: El Huerto Familiar – Felipe Ehrenberg
La Mujer como Objeto (Woman as Object) – Felipe Ehrenberg