Geometry entails obsession + art can change the world

Argentine artist, Christian Riffel, shares his discoveries and experiences of intervening a Herman Miller puppy, designed to inspire social impact at the annual Magis Puppy Gala in Washington, D.C.

Christian Riffel, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Do you feel this experience with the Magis Puppy enriched your career as an artist?

This experience has opened new paths for me. It enriched my career in many ways, but what inspired me the most was working from a distance without being able to see or touch the piece.

 Geometry entails obsession, and I love working with people who need a certain level of obsession to be good at what they do. So working collectively with LSM architect and design studio who are dedicated to using art as a vessel for change and who are precise in the work they do as architects inspired me to complete the piece with precision, and that helped me get out of my remote-work comfort zone. 

Do you think art can change the world?

I think that people can change the world, so they do it. For better and for worse.

I wonder, how people can change?

Art acts as a point of light within, as if it were an immovable lamp that clears away the dust. It increases sensitivity, self-knowledge, and empathy. It shows you the way. It also shows you where things are disorganized and can be accepted with conviction. 

From then on, you see that everything has a veil, which embellishes the landscape. What you “see.” Everything takes on a bigger meaning, and you become smaller, more insignificant. It makes you kinder, more careful. As if you walked through a garden, careful not to step on snails or frogs, and even walking without crushing a flower. 

I think art can change the world.

Do you think that art can be a bridge to connect the Americas? Why or why not?

I’m positive that art can bridge the Americas. Reciprocity is key. I picture people from North America showing their art here. Using art as a channel, we become mediums of something bigger, happier, optimistic and collaborative.

Showing my art in North America is a big dream that I’ve had for a long time. 

It’s happening.

After this experience, what kind of projects would you like to do next?

I’d love to continue collaborating with folks abroad, in a residency or even presenting my work at an exhibition. 

For now, I’ll be venturing out of the studio a little bit, to create more large-scale murals, here in Buenos Aires and another in Córdoba. I want to get back to the studio to end the year with two light essays and to welcome 2022 with new pieces.

I’m currently opening new paths in my career through trials/experimentation. It’s been fulfilling to participate in an art clinic with two artists that I admire, Fabian Burgos and Mauro Koliva, where I can bring in my new pieces and continue to try new things.

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Interview & Translation:

Rocío Aguayo | social impact producer | The Positive Force Team

Artwork: Christian Riffel

Video: Mark Alan Andre / LSM

Learn more about Christian Riffel.

En este cuarto episodio de Creaciones de Autor, el Backstage del Arte, Marou Rivero entrevista a Airesmart y Christian Riffel de #TallerCastillo que nos cuentan qué los inspira a pintar murales y por qué usan los colores sinteplast en sus obras. ✨”