7 questions to: Stephan Schmidlin – Sculptor

The former top athlete, comedian and today successful sculptor Stephan Schmidlin recently published his latest book with realizations from the years 2000 to 2020. An important chapter is the publicly accessible sculpture park "The 4 Elements" in the "Riverside" - an impressive insight into his artistic work.

On the occasion of the publication, the flatbook produced by Bubu, we asked the artist 7 questions.

Sculpture Park "The 4 Elements"

Your sculptures and their expressiveness testify to your extraordinary gift of observation. For a sculptor, an indispensable skill. When did you realize that you wanted to express your creativity through this and then with the material wood?

I have been drawing since I was a small child. While my brothers and sisters were playing outside, I could draw for hours and let my creativity run wild. I had my first exhibition in a stationery shop as early as the 4th grade. The relationship to wood was already present at an early age. From carving in elementary school and the carpentry apprenticeship, the path to sculpture was very obvious. Wood is warm and alive. A very exciting material.

With what expectations did you approach the realization of your book "SCHMIDLIN"?

My expectations were very high. The book is a business card of my works. Therefore, the quality and the special printing method of BUBU were enormously important to me. For me, only a premium product came into question. This has been achieved with the book. I know many people who have exhibited the book as a piece of jewelry in their house or apartment. This always pleases me.

To what extent does the choice of binding and paper play a role for you? Your book makes a solid first impression, has weighty pages and is pleasantly heavy in the hands. A reference to your material wood?

Above all, it should be a reference to the large, massive sculptures. Since in this book the heavyweights of my works are represented, this format fits very well in my eyes.

Sardinia

Goals, as distinct from dreams, are an important topic for you - you have devoted an entire chapter in the book to them. How did the selection of works, which you associate with the goal, take place?

It is mainly sculptures that occupied me for 2-5 years. You first have an idea, and then 5 years later the work stands. That is always a milestone.

The sculpture "The Floating One" occupies an important place in the volume - what significance does the 137-year-old have for you?

First of all, I like the sculpture. But then the transport to the Fronalpstock by helicopter was certainly an event in itself. The great views that the elderly gentleman had are immortalized in the pictures. All seasons are depicted.

The Floating One - Fronalpstock

Your sculptures are often socio-critical, but also allow the viewer sometimes a smile. Does it make it easier for you to address weighty issues, such as global water scarcity, with a dash of humor, in the confrontation and the creative process?

The sculpture Element-Water shows the two worlds. One world is begging for water and the other is swimming in water. That's more about the seriousness of the subject. Then there are other sculptures, such as the family with cell phones. There again, there's more of a pinch of humor.

Sculpture Park "The 4 Elements"

Could one of your sculptures one day get the idea of creating a private photo book? Which pictures would probably be found in it? :)

I'm sure they would be very funny pictures. I sometimes get sent pictures in which you can see young and old hugging the sculptures or talking to them or mimicking the positions. Maybe I should hide a camera in a sculpture sometime.

Stephan Schmidlin

More information about Stephan Schmidlin and his works at:
www.schmidlin-sculpteur.ch

Sculpture Park:
www.riverside.ch/en/erleben/skulpturenpark/