Interview with Michelangelo Pistoletto

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN ARTIST LIKE YOURSELF AND THE OUTSIDE WORLD, EVERYDAY LIFE AND THE HISTORY OF SIMPLE THINGS?
The pattern of simple things is the same for everyone, I believe: it means doing things, feeling active, exploring nearby and far away places, coming to learn about the things that surround you, travelling to experience places that are different from those you are familiar with.
I like to spend time thinking, entering into relations with other people, I love listening and talking, also chatting. But most of all, I love being with people who have a sense of humour. I feel comfortable when I’m in the presence of witty people.
I like to get to the bottom of important issues, but I also believe that one must always “come back to the surface” and speak about simple things, those which sometimes might seem futile but are actually the juice of life.

BARS ARE PLACES OF SIMPLE THINGS: WHAT DO YOU FIND STIMULATING IN BARS?
Human beings are creative beings but also social beings. They are productive in a playful sense. People seek that which is apparently useless, albeit maintaining the contrary. Therefore, meeting-places offer opportunities for lively relations, which are nothing other than situations of entertainment, in the sense of amusement, of the pleasure to do things that are free from our commitment to survival. We Italians have different types of relations with bars: sometimes it is the place for quick and fast enjoyment, the place where one can release the daily pressure built up by practical matters at any time.
There is nothing equal to the pleasure of entering a bar and having an espresso or cappuccino at the counter.
Everyone can relate to this but it can be different at the same time.

HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU ATTACH TO TEAMWORK WHEN STARTING OFF AN ART PROJECT? DO YOU PREFER TO START OFF ON YOUR OWN?
There are some works you can only do on your own and there are works which must be done together with others. There is a certain way of life that is developing, whereby we tend to come together in small groups or in important meeting venues, and this trend involves all ages. It is impossible to work on your own when you are investigating social transformation processes like I am. This procedure requires comparing many different disciplines but, at the same time, it also requires a common strain, a common interest in social changes and renewals. I have always worked on both levels: personal and interpersonal.
In any case, my individual productions are always open towards the presence of a common reality and, therefore, towards the participation of others.
Take for instance “Quadri Specchianti” which I started producing in 1961: spectators become the direct elements of the work of art and the main actors of the show; or take “Cittaldellarte”, which is a work site that is open towards interdisciplinary and intersectional work.

WHAT VALUES COME FIRST IN LIFE?
First comes the value of communication between individuals. Other fundamental values are: relationships with the people with whom you are closest to, such as your family, and the value of the social efforts put into achieving a better atmosphere of civilisation.
Today, when we talk about civilisation, we must do so in global terms. This clearly entails the notion of “loving different” cultures, races, personalities, tastes, kinds. I have a saying: “eliminate distances and keep differences”. This expresses also my spiritual, economic and political view, in other words my fundamental values.