Interview
Michael Ottavio aka Raudimalerei
Michael’s idea of good art is always that he wants to see things that have a strong appeal in his mind. He looks for something special in both his own art and the art of others. The bold, loud and wild. Unfortunately, Michael rarely found what he was looking for. These wild artists who inspire you and whose work always leaves you scratching your head in surprise. He needed a big change in his personal life as a catalyst to rekindle the painting in him and ensure that he got what he was looking for. First, it was a picture called “CROSSING” that emerged, then an angry picture about fire and then another and another. In the end, Michael was calmer and freer and the images became less angry.
The anger is still there and always new, because our world often leaves us speechless. What we humans do to each other, what we do to animals, what we fight for and how often we simply do nothing. All of this flows into Michael’s pictures, but without having that terrible pointing finger. He loves the abstract. It makes it easy to let your own mind run its course. Canvas, acrylic, spray paint, tape and fire are the most commonly used materials. He paints, he glues, he burns paint and sometimes he also sews on canvas. Michael likes to hide little messages, visible and invisible and sometimes even glow at night. Raudi painting is its own style and does not fit into any drawer. And he wouldn't have it any other way. Raudimalerei is the name of Michael’s art alter ego – and the Raudi can do whatever he wants. And so, Michael paints pictures, design objects and build installations. He also makes audio art and because that's not enough for him, you can also buy shirts and hoodies designed by him in his shop. You can regularly see his pictures at exhibitions, which have taken him to many large cities. Since October 2023, Michael has also opened his own gallery, the RAUDIBOX in Bad Bevensen, and there he shows his art and also the great art of other artists.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My artist name is Raudimalerei. He is his own Person, an alter ego, if you want to call it that. I was trapped in a 60 hours/week job in management and I felt lost and angry, and I needed to take actions. So, I quit that job and took some time for myself. When I was younger, I used to write and paint, and so I went back tot hat memory, bought myself some art supplies and painted my first painting in years. That was in 2020. The first paintings have an angry look, dark colors, and you can see an angry movement on the canvas, but with time, I was able to get calmer. Soon after the start, I connected with more artists, some of whom I call friends today. We visited each other's studios and exhibitions.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“As an artist, my work is about pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms. By fusing painting, audio art and objects, I create provocative and cheeky pieces that serve as social criticism. Even if you can't always see it straight away. But my art isn't just about making noise; it's also about showing a statement and strengthening it without imposing it. As a passionate vegan, I incorporate my beliefs into my work, using bright colors and bold imagery to advocate for animal rights and environmental activism in paintings that are often coded beyond recognition. Intense and in-your-face, my art is designed to grab your attention and shake you up. To try and find the reason within the Remix of Reality.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“Usually, I don’t plan anything upfront. If I have an idea outside the studio, I remind myself with a Note or a Doddle in a book, but i never track down the colors or shapes. I often start something with an idea in my head and than boom, reality kicks in, and in the end it’s the opposite to what was once thought about.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“To be honest, I don’t follow trends. Most trends are imposed on us, by some Critic or the Mass – and most of the times, for the wrong reasons. Therefore, I try to stay away from trends and do my own thing. Let's take NFT for example, it’s an idiotic way of getting money for nothing. But when the Dire Straits made it funky, the NFT dealings just made it weird. Creating art for me, is a piece I can see up on a wall, or in a room. And I want to hear the mumbles from the audience, I want to hear the noise my brain creates, when I am near it. I do recognize the trend of minimalism and I like it, and as an opposite, I do like the urban movement, as there are some great artists out there. But as soon, as there is a train to catch, the trend is followed for money reasons, I am out. That’s just not my thing. I never painted anything just to sell it.”
“You need a bit of courage for my pictures, because they are not decoration!”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“There is this amazing artist out there called Jason Hackenwerth. Jason´s works are brilliant and other worldly for me, a true inspiration. He once shared his first steps, and I took that idea and made it part of my process. The idea is, that one starts a painting with a word, or a drawing, or a movement that makes a sound in your head. Than I use acetone, and water or fire to take it away again. Sometimes just parts, sometimes smeared all over the canvas, and sometimes all is gone. This way, the emotion is already on the canvas, even if invisible, but I know it, and I can add the next layer, and see, how that works together. In my paintings, I use acrylic paint, and spray paints, but also oil pastels and things like tape, metal or even sewing thread. I use paper collages too and love to experiment with fire every now and than. You wouldn’t believe the surfaces one can create, by burning paints. In my studio, I either blast the stereo or use my headphones to paint to a variety of playlists. Music is a huge catalysator for me, sometimes a title or a lyric gives extra inspiration. So if you’re near, you might hear the likes of Fever Ray, Sisters of Mercy, Idles, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, or soft mellow music by Bon Iver or the traditional 80´s mix.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Staying curious, I guess. I find it therapeutic. Creating definitely keeps my head on the shoulders and keeps my brain from imploding. When I started, I was in a dark space without really realizing. It was just through my support system, that someone dear said: This needs to stop. And starting a painting just some days after that, was a brilliant feeling. All the anger used in paint and thick, dark movements. Once started, I couldn’t stop, even though I have long periods of not creating anything, but I want to see art all the time, and I love the feeling I have, when I really do like on of my own.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“This is a tough one, but I’ll give you two examples. Early on, I started working on this painting slash collage, that revolves around being part of the Big Work Machine. And the feeling you get, when after 25 Years, all that is left, is the last Day. The Machine does not stop, even though you thought it has too. That piece was called This Strange Engine (based on a Marillion Song with the same Name) and it was a conclusion to that life. An end to a long story that I have no bitterness anymore. It was this piece, that was chosen for my first exhibition. And a friend of mine, still in that Big Corporations Hamster wheel, fell in love with it and bought it some years later. Not only was I able to put an end to that story, I also really liked the art I created out of it and someone else too. One of my current favorites is a piece called “und keiner war elleine…” (an no one was alone) and it deals with xenophobia and exclusion, the way we treat refugees and the myth of the beautiful village life. Dark themes, but once it was done and people reacted to it, I realized that these themes are on a visible level, and people responded well. I had some great talks with people about this piece, and views on the way some people act, when in crises and driven by the wrong people and/or thoughts. The themes are sometimes dark, and sometimes its not on a Meta level but more like bam in your face – and I like that about my art.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My first exhibition was in Hamburg in 2020, followed by more outings in Hannover, Berlin with the wonderful crew of Die Baustelle, in Neukölln. Then more in Hamburg, Spain, London, Salzburg and smaller towns in my area. Last year, 4 other artists and I rented a former Shop in the Middle of Hannover, to create a Temporary Gallery for a month. We invited bands, and writers and had some very good feedback. In October of last year, I opened my own gallery called RAUDIBOX in a small town near the Lüneburger Heath. In May 2024, I will be part of a Guerilla Style Action Festival, where hundreds of artists show art, arts and crafts, theater, music and much more for 12 Days in an around the Villages in the Wendland, Lower Saxony. These kinds of outings are more what I want. I call them "Hausbesuche" (Homevisits) and the idea is, to not only bring art where it usually is not, but also make it a culturally exciting thing.”
