SUPER VOX - art in your ears

SUPER VOX - art in your ears

Astrid Birnbaum, is a Stockholm based journalist and editor who always surrounded herself with art, music and vivid personalities. In the podcast she meets the most interesting names in art and personalities crossing its path. 

The podcast is an extension of our on-stage talk series Brillo Vox, a series founded in Stockholm in January 2020. The talk series has carved out a place as a gravity point in between academia, institutions and galleries and we are continuing this journey with SUPER VOX podcast.

  • Meeting Alex Israel

    Amongst others, Astrid and Alex talk about how John Baldessari played a role when Alex Israel became an artist.

    "-My parents weren't artists and we didn't grow up with artists around and I didn't know anyone in the art world. I started working for John (Baldessari, Editor’s Note) when I was 17 and he gave me the confidence and faith to become an artist." Listen now

  • Meeting Tal R

    "-The snow convinced me to leave"

    Super Vox took a trip to Copenhagen where we got to visit Tal R and his own little Paradise, located in the middle of the city. Surrounded by Tal’s paintings we had a conversation about his inspirations, about his favorite cites to visit, about his terrible years in art school, his childhood and future plans.

    We spoke about the difference between painting the sun and the moon and about there being a snowstorm in Copenhagen in the beginning of September. Listen now

  • Meeting Constance Tenvik

    She is a maximalist!

    Constance Tenvik is a Norwegian artist and designer with the main focus on painting. She also works with sculpture, textile and costume. Her art has been shown all over and her latest solo exhibition was shown in Los Angeles at the Anat Ebgi gallery. The exhibition's focus was on the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and included paintings, textiles and sculptures.

    We sat down with Constance to talk about her thoughts and inspirations. We spoke a lot about the art of portraits, about dance, music and food. We met at the Soho House in Stockholm where one can enjoy some of her paintings. Listen now

  • Meeting Jonas Åkerlund

    Jonas Åkerlund about his visual language, his films, his inspirations and the future.

    "It was a series of coincidences that made me discover film editing and photography. That was a game changer for me. I never looked back. I never played the drums again."

    Jonas Åkerlund is a Swedish film director who has made a huge mark with his distinctive story-telling and his recognizable signature style. He is an internationally awarded director of feature films, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and stage shows.

    Åkerlund, who lives in Los Angeles, agreed to meet us for a conversation during his stay in Stockholm in the beginning of the year. We spoke about his early years as a drummer living in Sweden, about his life today, his inspirations and his recent work. Of course we did also speak about ‘the Stockholm Syndrome’ and the famous Swedish bank robber Clak Olofsson, whose life Åkerlund made a Netflix series about last year. Listen now

  • Meeting Sir Isaac Julien

    "-Early on in my life, when I graduated from Saint Martin's School of Art, I decided I had enough of art, and art schools, galleries and museums. I want to make films. And I did."

    Sir Isaac Julien is a filmmaker and installation artist who breaks down the barriers between different artistic disciplines, drawing from and commenting on film, dance, photography, music, theatre, painting, and sculpture. SuperVox had the honour to meet Julien for a conversation about the exhibition Rock my Soul pt 2, which he curated in Stockholm at Eva Livijns apartment. We also spoke about the great bell hooks, about his inspirations, house music and his early life. We sat in the middle of the show, surrounded by the artworks of Juliens selected artists.

    "I saw bell hooks nearly every day when I lived in New York. In a way we discover the New York art world together." Listen now

  • Meeting David Shrigley

    “I think having a really good laugh everyday - it's like being hydrated, like water, like something you need.”

    David Shrigley is a contemporary British artist who has gained international recognition for his hilarious drawings. His immediately recognizable works are always characterised by its humour, often accompanied by witty observations and written commentary that satirises aspects of everyday life and the awkwardness of human interactions.

    SuperVox had the pleasure to meet Shrigley for a conversation about his art, his books, his big interest in electric guitars and football. Shrigley showed off his Swedish language skills and gave us a glimpse into his further projects. And if you listen closely you will hear his dog bark at the postman! Listen now

  • Meeting Thomas Girst

    ‘I always said that NFT stands for neoliberal futile trash’

    In this episode, we delve into the profound influence of the visual arts, featuring Thomas Girst, the Global Head of Cultural Engagement at the BMW Group.

    Thomas Girst is an important figure in the world of arts and culture. Recently, Supervox had the pleasure of hosting Thomas Girst in Stockholm recording this episode as well as having a live conversation on stage at this year’s edition of Market Art Fair.

    His involvement with BMW's cultural engagement initiatives has been instrumental in fostering meaningful collaborations between the automotive industry and the art world. During our conversation, Girst shared his insights on the groundbreaking work of artist Marcel Duchamp, who he also called his ‘leader’ in life. We spoke about the BMW Art Cars and about what the future of movement and art looks like.

    Thomas Girst has been the head of cultural engagement at the BMW Group since 2003. He shares hisextensive knowledge and expertise by lecturing at renowned institutions such as Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, the Academy of Fine Arts Munich, and the Academy of Applied Sciences in Zurich. Notable among his contributions is the curation of the exhibition "Marcel Duchamp in Munich 1912" in

    2012, where he also served as a co-editor for the accompanying catalogue. Some of his recent publications include "The Indefinite Duchamp" (2013), "BMW Art Cars" (2013), "The Duchamp Dictionary" (2014), and "Art, Literature, and the Japanese American Internment Experience" (2014). Listen now

  • Meeting Emma Kohlman

    ‘I had no clear path. I didn’t think i was going to be an artist’

    Emma Kohlmann is a contemporary artist known for her colorful and distinctive work. Born in 1989 in the Bronx, New York, she is currently based in Florence, Massachusetts. Kohlmann's artistic contributions have gained global recognition through exhibitions held internationally.

    In an interview with SuperVox, Kohlmann discusses various aspects of her artistic journey and creative process. She talks about her experiences during her years in art school, her involvement in creating fanzines and books, her musical preferences, and her interest in poetry. Throughout the conversation, Kohlmann provides insights into the stories and inspirations that drive her colorful and unique artistic style. Listen now

  • Meeting Cajsa Von Zeipel

    “When I started making sculptures I always kissed them goodbye when they were about to leave the studio”

    We're thrilled to have hosted artist Cajsa Von Zeipel as a guest on SuperVox. Von Zeipel is a visionary artist renowned for her sculptures and installations, seamlessly fusing classical and contemporary art elements. Her work delves into profound themes like identity, gender, and societal conventions.

    In this episode, we had the privilege of engaging in a conversation about the characters inhabiting Von Zeipel's sculptures, her intricate creative process, and her enriching experiences at the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm, among many other topics.

    Von Zeipel's artistic creations have graced prestigious galleries and museums across the globe. We're honored to have shared this dialogue with her. Listen now

  • Meeting Carsten Höller

    We are delighted to have engaged in a captivating conversation with artist Carsten Höller during The European Capital of Gastronomy Conference 2023 in Stockholm, where he shared insights into his innovative restaurant, Brutalisten.

    Höller is a renowned Belgian-German artist known for his work that often blurs the boundaries between art and science. Born in Brussels in 1961, Höller's diverse body of work includes installations, sculptures, and experiments that engage viewers in unique sensory experiences. He has gained international recognition for his thought-provoking and immersive artworks, often challenging perceptions and inviting active participation.

    Notably, his interest extends to the intersection of art and gastronomy, as seen in his conceptual restaurant, Brutalisten, and the manifesto that underlies his culinary philosophy.

    In our conversation Carsten shared a unique perspective on the intersection of art and gastronomy. His passion for pushing boundaries and challenging conventional norms in the culinary world was evident throughout our discussion. Carsten Höller's profound interest in creating immersive dining experiences truly sets him apart. Listen now

  • Meeting Hans-Ulrich Obrist

    “From the beginning, I wanted to be a Austellungsmacher”

    We are thrilled to announce the launch of our latest episode featuring the esteemed Hans Ulrich Obrist. Serving as the Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London, Obrist has left an indelible mark on the art world through his curation of groundbreaking exhibitions that continually redefine artistic boundaries. A luminary in contemporary art, his name echoes prominently within the art community.

    Born in Zurich in 1968, Hans Ulrich Obrist has cultivated a visionary presence in the eld, showcasing an early and enduring passion for art coupled with an insatiable curiosity to push the limits of artistic expression. Join us as we delve into the profound insights and experiences of this influential curator in our latest podcast episode. Listen now

    Photo: Lukas Wassmann, 2021