Art from everyday things
When Judith Milberg does not make pot scratching lamps, the art historian runs a cultural management company in Munich.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Ms. Milberg, how does one come up with the idea of turning a mop into a lampshade?
Judith Milberg: Imagine, you are strolling through a homeware shop, and your gaze falls on a mop. You look at it for a moment, and suddenly you realize what a beautiful, freaky object it is. That's how I feel about it all the time. Once you have discovered this beauty, the path to the lampshade is not far away. I immediately think about how I can further alienate things and emphasize their beauty. In this way, they get the glamor that they have long earned.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Can you learn this look for the special in everyday life?
Judith Milberg: Yes, you just have to try it. Especially the everyday things, which were created only for their function, develop a special beauty, if you place them in a different context. This can be a mop, a funnel or even an empty detergent bottle. Just try to look at things like in the art museum and forget about their real, vile task. And they are fascinating. Believe me, once you start doing that, you can not look any different.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Since when do you look so into the world?
Judith Milberg: My studies certainly play a role, because in art history you learn to pay attention to details. Apart from that, I have always had a thing for beautiful things, my whole house is full of it. They meet me everywhere, at flea markets, in hardware stores, in the drugstore. Other people collect sugar packets, I prefer to use plastic hooks. It's been like that forever.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: That sounds like overflowing boxes and chaos in the basement - what does your family say about your collecting passion?
Judith Milberg: Luckily I'm not a messie, but very neat and structured. All of my objects are systematically sorted into metal baskets and moving boxes, and I have no inhibitions about disposing of anything when I can no longer use it. Order must be, otherwise one goes under.
This curtain used to be 27 fly swatters.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Suppose I've learned the special look and developed an idea - but you also need some manual skills?
Judith Milberg: Of course a bit of skill is an advantage. But above all, I want to introduce creative ideas that anyone can duplicate. In principle, you can build the objects from my book all at the kitchen table, but you do not need a workshop or a hobby cellar. This is also reflected in the categories in which I have divided the instructions: From "easy" for the very clumsy to "women's thing!" for advanced users (laughs).
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Does that mean that the women have outpaced men in home improvement?
Judith Milberg: In general, I think that women and men are in no way inferior here. But things have changed a bit in recent years: more and more women are flocking to DIY stores, and many studies show that it is usually the women who take the hammer in their hands. This is no different with us at home or with my friends. Especially when it comes to design and decoration, women are in the lead.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Did you infect your family with your workmanship?
Judith Milberg: Especially when my kids were smaller, we made them almost every day. Today, they are not quite as committed, but they still think it's cool what I do. And my husband is my biggest fan anyway. He brings me, as far as his time permits, from his professional travels always curious things that I need for my objects.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Do you still buy ready-made home accessories?
Judith Milberg: No, not at all. For example, yesterday I noticed that the candles flicker when they are on the heater. Of course, I could just buy lanterns, but I prefer to think of my own. I'll probably have some used jars somewhere that are great for it.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Do you have a favorite tool?
Judith Milberg: The hot glue gun, which is also available in a small version for the handbag. But even more important is a very simple tool: the pair of scissors. A powerful all-purpose scissors, with which you can also cut metal - I have used for almost every object from my book.
Judith Milberg's book "My Design - Lustobjekte aus Everyday Things" has been published by Callwey Verlag, ISBN-10: 3766717111, 19.95 euros.
