Elke Krystufek's Artistic Persona and Her 2009 Venice Biennale Work
Austrian artist Elke Krystufek, born in 1970, discusses her constructed artistic persona 'Elke Krystufek' and its gradual disappearance from her work. She now focuses on male figures and questions whether male portraits sell as well as female nudes. Krystufek's provocative practice is politically grounded, addressing the art market, sexuality, and social relations through humor and text. She cites VALIE EXPORT as a feminist influence rather than the Austrian tradition of provocation. For the 2009 Venice Biennale, she created paintings and videos based on F.W. Murnau's film 'Tabu' (1931), exploring the gaze between genders and sexualities, featuring professional actors for the first time. Krystufek exhibited in the Austrian pavilion alongside Dorit Margreiter and Lois & Franziska Weinberger. The interview was conducted by Thibaut de Ruyter, an architect and art critic based in Berlin.
Key facts
- Elke Krystufek created an artistic persona named 'Elke Krystufek' which she is now letting disappear.
- She is interested in representing male figures and whether male portraits sell as well as female nudes.
- Krystufek's work includes political statements about the art market, sexuality, and social relations.
- She uses humor as a subversive tool to address difficult topics.
- For the 2009 Venice Biennale, she created works based on Murnau's film 'Tabu' (1931).
- This was the first time she used professional actors in her work.
- She exhibited in the Austrian pavilion with Dorit Margreiter and Lois & Franziska Weinberger.
- Krystufek identifies with the feminist lineage of VALIE EXPORT rather than Austrian provocateurs.
Entities
Artists
- Elke Krystufek
- Juergen Teller
- Annie Sprinkle
- Jenny Holzer
- VALIE EXPORT
- Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau
- Dorit Margreiter
- Lois Weinberger
- Franziska Weinberger
- Thibaut de Ruyter
- Inke Arns
Institutions
- Biennale de Venise
- art press
- HMKV Dortmund
- Camera Austria
- Hatje Cantz
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Berlin
- Germany
- Dortmund
- Graz
Sources
- artpress —