The question, whether an object, image or artifact is art or not, cannot be decided either by one single object, image or artifact, let alone by an individual. Art is after all a practice rather than a product, a verb rather than a noun, but more importantly a social agreement, a title that’s been decreed and continuously awarded by specific communities, particular institutions, or a group of representatives, placeholders of the world of culture and the industry of art. Nonetheless, there’s a common drive in public conversations to raise questions about the legitimacy of certain objects and negotiate them in regard of their status as to what level something is art or not, which I find both, compulsively obsessive and strikingly playful.

“I can’t believe it’s not art” refers to the popular childhood game with daisies in which we fervently try to decide through a ritual of petal picking whether somebody’s feelings are in or against our favor. “She loves me, she loves me not” cannot be decided by wishful thinking unless it is whimsical to begin with. However, the ritual follows a function: it marks our courting and tries to raise our odds – the more so as performed in front of the adored.

“I can’t believe it’s not butter” is the name of a well-known American brand. To extend the phrase into the field of arts expands the play with daisies into the realm of words. Branding, it shows, is not just a challenging task for companies, but artists as well, see Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Naomi Klein, etc.

Artist Statement

(1) Although trained as a sculptor I have become a media artist. That means that my work is not limited to a single material, it includes all sorts of media. In a recent exhibition for instance I was showing 25 new installations: photography, objects, mixed media, and video. To cross boundaries has proven to be typical for my work over the years, trying continually to explore and bridge diversity in media, technology, and the arts.

(2) I believe in the power of art. I think art continually has to find new images for the time we live in. For the conditions and issues we deal with: emotionally, existentially, politically, physically, and globally. Searching such images is what I am aiming for.

(3) Going back and forth between knowing and doing feeds what we ultimately call culture. It is important to me to be involved in art practice from both a theoretical and practical stance. I usually get most inspired by artwork that comes from a balance between aesthetic form and conceptual content.

(4) My artwork is often based on some sort of humor. I like it when serious things come with a wink. It makes it easier to deal with, to digest, and to further construct.

(5) I do believe in an intriguing encounter between art producers and the public. To embrace education is a rewarding way to expand our creativity. Audiences can make us learn better, and see things we would not have known of. I understand both, intelligence and creativity to be profoundly social.

Richard Jochum, New York 2005-2009