Sculptor Josef Baier

Contests
• Insaka International Artists Workshop, Lusaka, Zambia (Afrika) , 2013.
• wool-symposium El Arreciado, Spanien, 2013.
• the spirit of steel – Int. Stahlsymposium Riedersbach, 2012.
• Skulpturale Baiersdorf (DE) , 2012.
• Ton:on:Ton, Symposium in Torbali, Türkei, 2004.
• Artbridge, Symposium in Mbour, Senegal, 2000.
• Aftershave, Symposium in Jos, Nigeria, 1999.
• Stahlskulpturenwettbewerb Greiz, BRD, 1999.
• Metallsymposium in Gojome, Japan, 1996.
• Steinsymposium in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal, 1987.

Technique
Welded.

Message of the project
Spiral is a symbol for growing and evolution. You can find the form of spiral in micro- and macro-cosmos. The logarithmic spiral shows the dynamic of evolution.

Interview to Josef Baier

• What’s the place that you live like?
I am living in Austria, a country with a varied landscape, with mountains, meadows, forests and lakes. In winter there is snow and in summer it can also be very hot – up to 35 degrees C. I love skiing in the winter, love the summer and find that the summer could take longer during the year.
• Can you share with us a happy memory from your childhood?
I am the youngest in the family, I have 5 sisters and one brother. I can remember that I, as the youngest and therefore I was able to climb with little weight, entirely at top at our cherry tree and could enjoy the juiciest and ripest cherries.
• When did your love for sculptures begun?
When I was 20 years old I studied at the Pedagogical Academy to become a teacher. In the tray Art education, I discovered that I liked working with my hands, and then I attended the Summer Academy at Salzburg. There we modeled figural according to a model. I sniffed artistic flair and decided to study sculpture.
• What does art mean in your life?
Art is for me to look closely and observe and try to understand a little bit of the world and the try to make this knowledge visible and comprehensible.
• Do you have any other profession besides sculpting?
I am lecturer at the Art University in Linz, Sculpture department and department for art education. In recent years, I have reduced the number of hours to teach in order to focus more on the freelance work.
• A model artist that you admire – fine artist, filmmaker, writer, philosopher
Theo Jansen, an artist from the Netherlands – he builds “Strandbeester” – great objects of very simple materials. I am fascinated by his imaginative creatures and the authenticity of his work.
For me, nature is also an ideal and often I get suggestions from the geometry.
• A world famous work of art that you admire
Spiral Jetty from Robert Smithson.
• A book or author you recommend
Thomas Sautner: Fuchserde
Austrian author – a novel about a family of Travellers (Roma).
• Which historical or political event do you think most affected your country’s present?
The First World War – the end of the monarchy and the disintegration of the multiethnic state.
• Do you practice any religion?
I am Catholic, but the practice is not very intense.

• Can you share with us a traditional recipe from your country?
Kaiserschmarrn (Pancake)
Preparation:
Separate for the first pancake egg yolks and egg whites in and put the egg whites in a bowl, add the yolks in another.
The egg whites with a pinch of salt to hit pretty hard snow.
The yolk thoroughly with stir granulated sugar (more or less depending on taste).
The milk pour and stir in the flour.
While stirring well with a whisk or blender, prevent the formation of Mehlklümpchen.
The mass should not now, but also not be too thin to thick.
Fold in the egg white and all-lift gently.
In a not too small (preferably coated) pan, melt the butter over moderate heat. The fat does not become too hot, as otherwise the butter will quickly dark brown.
The pancake-mass pour, sprinkle a few raisins over it and bake on the mass medium heat for a few minutes until the bottom is golden brown become tender.
Turn the pancake. If she tears it, that’s no problem, the work of art is anyway then destroyed. Once the underside is lightly baking, tear the pancake with two forks into smaller pieces.
If you like it sweet, can now sprinkle, stir briefly and caramelize the sugar a little granulated sugar over the pancake.
According to some, a few minutes the pancakes should now be ready. Lift out, arrange on plates and even sprinkle with a little icing sugar.
• What is the status or importance of art in your country?
What is the role of the artist in your society?
The identification and tourism marketing is primarily based about the art, but rather, on famous people like Mozart. Contemporary art has been rather reserved a smaller group of people. The recognition as an artist often succeeds only if an international recognition precedes.
• Have you already been to South America and Argentina?
What are your expectations for the City of Resistencia and its Biennial?
6 years ago I visited a friend in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
My sister in law has spent several years in your childhood in Villa Angela, Chaco and a great-uncle of mine worked as a missionary in Bolivia.
For Resistencia is my focus, to do a good job. A colleague, Stefan Esterbauer took part in the Biennale in 2010 and told me that the identification with art is much more pronounced than here in Austria.
• What the slogan “Hommo Novus” makes you think about? Can you tell us something about the work of art you are going to make?
The regularity of the logarithmic spiral is based on the change in the distance to the center at each rotation by the same factor. This regularity can be found quite often in nature, eg Nautilus shell and is a symbol of evolution and growth.