Name: Peter Coffin
Age: “Around 77 ”
Occupation: Artist
City/Neighborhood: New York City
Current Exhibition: “A, E, I, O, U” at Venus Over Manhattan, 980 Madison Avenue, New York, through November 2, 2012.
“A, E, I, O, U” at Venus Over Manhattan is your first solo gallery exhibition in New York since “You Are Me” at Andrew Kreps Gallery in 2008, and features a monumental sculpture of a Great Dane. What can you tell us about the art you are showing?
Most of the works are sculpture or sculptural installation works, some even involve sound, moving image, and smell. Some of the works are hardly noticeable.
A wide range of ideas rooted in art history, science, New Age philosophy, and culture have made their way into your work. Did any new discoveries inspire this exhibition?
Yes. I’m certain they did. Some new perspectives I think.
At Storm King in Mountainville, New York, you are exhibiting a couple of pieces that respond to seemingly unanswerable questions, like “what does sunshine sound and taste like?” — which you answer through a musical interpretation of sunlight with musician Bob James — and an apiary where visitors can taste honey and witness bees making honey. What draws you to make work that seems impossible?
Impossibility is interesting, but not the draw. I’m interested in experiences that give new perspective or catalyze some broader understanding.
You’re an expert at challenging your viewers’ preconceptions about art, such as with your 2009 installation of 13 sculptures in New York’s City Hall Park, which were all silhouettes in black aluminum of works traced from art history books, and also viewers’ ideas of the logic of nature, like your 2007 “Tree Pants” exhibition Horticultural Society of New York. What art has done the same for you?
Stephen Kaltenbach’s "Influence Piece," some of Andreas Slominki’s work, Adrian Piper’s writing, a piece that Rodney Graham and Bruce Nauman did together, Ken Nordine’s "Colors," a painting by William Allen called the "Shadow Repair for the Western Man," circa 1970.
What project are you working on now?
I’ve been dying clouds various colors.
What’s the last show that you saw?
Yesterday I saw Andra Ursuta’s show at Ramiken Crucible.
What’s the last show that surprised you? Why?
Andreas Slominski’s current show. Because his work is known for being clever and his exhibition is weird without being clever.
What’s your favorite place to see art?
Where I’d least expect it.
What’s the most indispensable item in your studio?
The fireman’s pole to my submarine helicopter with surround sound in the jacuzzinated cockpit.
Where are you finding ideas for your work these days?
Between the lines of stunning interview questions. Just kidding. I usually find them when I’m inspired and that usually happens when I experience or understand something in a new way.
What’s your art-world pet peeve?
The fact that we tend to identify it as one world surrounding the market of art. Its disconnect with the world. Pretention and style for style’s sake.
What’s your favorite post-gallery watering hole or restaurant?
I like bars called the “office” or the “library.” “Honey, I’m going to the Office.” “Mom I’m going to the Library.” I think every town has a bar like this.
Know any good jokes?
A rope walks into a bar and asks for a beer. “Are you that rope?” No, I’m a frayed knot
What international art destination do you want to visit?
Naoshima, Inhotim, Gibbs Farm
Who’s your favorite living artist?
John Lennon
To see images of Peter Coffin's work, click on the slideshow.