The bliss of momentary joy, as much as it makes us happy, comes with the simultaneous thought of mortality. Stephanie Luening’s art works bring such paradoxical thoughts into question, touching on the subject of philosophical notions.

Hi Stephanie, my first question for you is about your backstory... How was life growing up? What’s your academic background and what interested you to pursue this in-depth?

I grew up in formal GDR (German Democratic Republic) for eleven years... I am a child of a real working-class family. My mother worked at the conveyor belt and my father was a Craig driver in some GDR factory. I didn't grow up with an artistic background or visited any museums alike. After the GDR walls fell, I first pursued an apprenticeship as a sign maker, to advertise for various companies and stores. Further to this, I moved to Dresden where I live now, to study fine arts in scenic paintings where you replicate small-scale prototypes to a large size for movie sets and events, etc. While I was studying here from the beginning, I felt there was something missing still. I didn't like the idea of copying a design or concept but one thing that I learned was to grow my skills and become fine with my hands. My mind and hands built this synergy that I enjoyed fairly especially for the scenes and locations that I still incorporate in my work. I studied fine arts again after this experience. I started when I was 30 years old. I started my work very late.

Please describe your relationship with colors… What do colors mean to you and what is it that allures you to continue your practices?

When I first was experimenting with colored ice cubes and foam, I chose primary colours... Because with primary colors you get the opportunity to make any color. So, say for the foam works I have this gardening container in which I can blend the colors. So the freedom to spontaneously prepare colors depending on my objective and emotions is a dear act for me. I also many times use colors as a symbolic representation of a cause or event. For example, color for a country’s flag or some movement’s sign.

Your foam artworks are greatly loved and have gained wide popularity… I want to know how you first began working on this concept... What was the message and how did you realize it to be your mode of expression, what is the story?

Since I was a child I always painted and did lots of drawings and when I finally started studying fine arts I tried many things. I used big paintbrushes to create gestures and painted them always on the floor because I didn't like what gravity did with paints as its drips down on the canvas, so I tried to paint in a non-traditional ways using many different materials experimenting with various tools of all sizes and textures. I used large size paint brushes gave strokes on floor then I used ice stray filled it with colours and use it as paint and finally after many trials and errors I was in bathtub and just like that decided to ally with foam and it was the times I started experimenting and slowing developed into this way of creating art which moves from a 2-dimensional sphere to a 3-dimensional sphere. Many people call me a sculptural painter in fact.

Coming on art and the nature of art… What do you wish people to be more sincere and aware of in the current day and age? What do you wish people to be serious about?

For me and through my work, I try to make people enjoy the momentary joys of life. I try to reach all people from all walks of life, from a common working-class man to a high elite community, all can enjoy it now, that be a 5 year old kid or 82 year old grandpa. Now the point is the more you think about the work the deeper it gets... It speaks about the mortality and importance of ‘NOW’. That ’now’ is all that we have and now is all that we can experience. The idea of death on addition.. Like how death comes to all and how everything eventually runs out. For me it’s important that people make their own interpretations and see what their eyes makes them see. Everyone is open to experience what they are ready for hence it remains an infinite possibility of expressions and understandings.

Can you tell us about the various other mediums that you work with such as yarns and canvas? How do you finalize and play around with your concepts?

For me each medium is used as a way to communicate a story, it’s very much about what I’m feeling and thinking in the moment and what is influencing and guiding me at that point. All mediums are just a way I like to play around with, and that’s all that it’s about - to be able to play and enjoy the process of coming to a realisation and feeling of acceptance. It’s like if a scientist was trying to explore and find solutions for the story telling. Sometimes it’s on my objective that I work for if it’s political or event’s related etc... it depends on many factors.

What do you think about the evolution of technology and science? That is shifting the way that people experience art now. Art always brings new perspectives and challenges modes of belief. What role exhibitionist like you yourself would like to hold onto within such digital charge environment?

I am coming from the times of trial and error. My work remains as such. I don’t know much about technology, but I remember once in an exhibition I was told that I’m a low-tech artist. How nice that is even, I feel. Well, I am afraid of technology because people can use your information, all of the algorithms are something I like to stay away from. I take fast from Instagram when I feel the need. In times of such fast-paced life it’s important to preserve what is dear to you of course. The balance and harmony shall be that; I sometimes use photo montage applications to fake a situation to have with technology but that all about it. I know many friends of mine who don’t put work out on social media just to get few likes... Art and artist are more than that and you can see it you open their websites and do deeper research. I like to keep it at distance and use only when I have to promote my work. I also know artists who create great art with the help or technology that is hard to make in real life, such as animations, movies, interactive instillation etc... As long as the context is clear it’s nice to experience... But again in moderation and balance like always. I see lot of NFT technology at rise. Many people tell me I should do it too… but that’s not what I have in mind for me people are important and the essence of experience, the physical experience.. My art is nothing without my audience and that’s what I like.

Finally, please tell us a bit about your current ongoing project or anything you are innovating and conceptualizing…

I have lots of shows coming up this year. Lots of foam in France and in London... all going to be around fall season. So yeah “Foam is coming to Europe” hahahah! I have night versions this time as well. I guess you all have to stay tuned... (wink)