How are you doing today?
I’m fine! Pretty happy about autumn coming, cause it’s my favorite season. And I’m excited about my presentation at PARALLEL VIENNA.
How can you describe your art in a few words?
Immersive. Colour-intense. 2022
What technique do you prefer to use?
I am a painter. I work with acrylics as well as different sorts of crayons and sprays. On canvas. And now for Parallel Vienna I did a piece called „Some dreams are made of poppy seeds“. On the wall. You can only see it this week at Parallel Vienna!
What is it about?
Since last November I am very intersted in plants. I started to do research about the 10 most poisoned plants on earth. Especially 1 plant caught my attention, it’s called dittany. I drew the leaves and the blossom again and again and again.
Eventually it led me to other plants and blossoms. Like poppy.
Poppy is not poisoned. But still a plant, that is connected to certain experiences of intoxication. I found it interesting, especially because of the location where Parallel takes place, an old hospital. After all, opium was used to alleviate pain. But it’s also a drug, it can be used for pleasure. And if you don’t think about the purpose of the poppy flower, the blossom is beautiful and interesting in a formal way, for me as a painter. Especially because there are so many differant kinds, shapes and colours of poppy.
Also the perception of flowers or blossoms is connected to femininity. In that context intoxicating flowers evoke questions, such as – what can be soft and fierce at the same time?
What message do viewers will have seen in your works at the exhibition?
I don’t have a certain message. I’m not an activiste. I’m just a painter. I want people to see my painting and have theire own experience.
Which three words come to mind right now?
Tea. Fresh air. Bubblegum Orchid. It’s what I see right now, sitting at my table.
Bubblegum Orchid?
It’s blue. I got it last week and it’s perfect.
Shoutout to: All independent women*. Keep on doin what you love
Chris Kroiss – www.instagram.com/chriskroiss/
PARALLEL VIENNA takes place for the 10th time in Vienna from 6th of September to 11th of September 2022 and sticks to its approach of using temporarily vacant buildings as a presentation platform for contemporary art. Location 2022: Semmelweisklinik, Hockegasse 37, 1180 Vienna. www.parallelvienna.com