KEITH RICHARDS

Dear Friends,

as I often get asked about the sense and purpose of sampling in the context of my releases as GAS and which meaning some »concrete« samples (sources) have, here an attempt of an answere: none!

To illustrate this, I've decided to use (once again) a pictorial example: You can see a row (series) of overpainted photos (samples) of the Rolling Stones out of a magazine on occasion of their 55-year existence. You will notice that you’ll see nothing (anymore). At least that the photos were showing the Rolling Stones. You can’t see that anymore.

This is abstract and looks in case of doubt just super good (from my point of view). Which raises the question of how important the Stones are for these images. So, too, how important is Wagner, Schönberg or “Tanz den Jesus Christus” for GAS? – assuming that one let you know or let it stay recognizable that he or she or it is behind it.

Counterquestion: How important is it when one doesn't let you know or let it stay recognizable? Likewise important are the signs, remarks, references, the pains ... which are always palpable behind the work. They are the inspiration, the aesthetic raw material, which through compression, exaggeration loses its recognizability, thus its original meaning as quotation or reference or distinction in favour of a bigger, more truthfully power, which needs now explanation. For this purpose it’s important that these samples are behind. Like ghosts.

Wolfgang Voigt 07/2018.  

On the occasion of the relaunch of Wolfgang Voigt’s website the five-picture series “The Rolling Stones” are available for conspiratorial purchase as limited edition, high-quality art print as well as the unique originals.

If you are interested, please write an e-mail to info@wolfgang-voigt.com.