“The Fantini collection was created in my forest studio, in the middle of the night”, narrates Swiss artist Anne-Marie Fischer. She is set to unveil her inaugural collaboration with Fantini Mosaici at Downtown Design 2023. “I created 12 panels with deep blue figures in enamel on a light background in marble, with minimal accents in gold. I developed the panels using the paper collage technique. As I worked, these blue figures appeared, and I had to somehow capture them before they disappeared again. It’s only a few moments when the composition fits and if you go on, you destroy it again. It’s a matter of finding the right moment. It came to my mind because I was mentally in the desert.”
Anne-Marie Fischer’s art is a testament to her passion for harmonising colour, shape, and dimension to achieve equilibrium, representing a meticulous and calculated balance that encompasses movement, proportion, and rhythm. Her artistic journey has been punctuated by a year filled with noteworthy collaborations and exhibitions, spanning luxury brands and prestigious venues in Switzerland, France, and South Korea.
Given the illustrious year she has had so far and her cheery yet pensive persona, we thought it would be befitting to ask her five questions before her art debuts at Downtown Design 2023 with Fantini Mosaici…
What about architecture drew you to the profession and why did you decide to make the jump to art?
Art has always inspired my architectural work.The fact that I was involved with architecture for over 20 years certainly influences my art. Interestingly, I have found that the process of exploring and creating feels similar in both professions. aAs an architect I was already working on the theme of the figure in space. They are similar questions that I am exploring. I am interested in contrasts, proportions, tensions, and so on
But the big difference is that in building there are so many people involved in a project, who each bring their own perspective. Now, as an artist, I don’t need to argue or justify an idea to the other team members anymore. I’m independent. It’s exciting to find good solutions within architectural constraints, but I don’t like compromises.
Art is much more direct and uncompromising. The constraints are the format, the material, the time and the space. The only person who can stand in my way is myself. And sometimes I manage to outsmart myself.
Do you still practice architecture at all, or is your professional life now dedicated to your passion for art? Do you have advice for those on the fence about switching professions?
My last architectural client was myself–for the renovation of my forest studio. That was something very special. But today, I work exclusively as an artist.
To change careers, you have to be prepared to leave a lot behind, to lose a lot, in order to build something new. It takes strength and perseverance. If it’s really what you want to do, the work will naturally develop into a passion that comes from deep within you.
In general, what inspires you to paint? When are you at your most creative?
The inspiration can come directly out of the work, by occupying myself with something. But sometimes when I wake up early in the morning, things form in front of my inner eye. I have to capture these immediately by getting up and testing these visions right away.
When I wake up, I set myself the three things with the highest priority. I try to start work early – because that’s when I’m most productive and most free. Some of my paintings are formed during [my] awakening. As soon as I have a particular idea that I must check immediately, I get up, drink a big cup of tea and go to the studio, even if it’s only five in the morning. Here, I spend three to four hours painting. Of course, I don’t always succeed. Then I deviate from the vision and let the process guide me on. I let myself be surprised.
“Now, as an artist, I don’t need to argue or justify an idea to the other team members anymore. I’m independent. It’s exciting to find good solutions within architectural constraints, but I don’t like compromises.“
– Anne-Marie Fischer, Artist
Can you describe the location and the look and feel of your studio? You were born in Paris and moved to Zurich as a young girl. How much does the geographic location of your studio influence your ideas and the final results?
I work in two studios. One is in an industrial building with large windows, in the vibrant centre of Zurich. The other studio is a remote wooden house in a Swiss forest. Here, I can withdraw wonderfully and concentrate fully on the creation.
The place where I work has a great influence on my work – not only the light, but also the atmosphere, the size of the room, the sounds of life around my studio.
You have embraced the world of digital art and are said to be inspired to create new art either on a digitalised platform or on traditional paper. Do you have a preference? What projects are you currently working on that combine both?
For me, personally, the haptic, the texture, the surface is very important. I like to touch the material when I work, and what is created by hand leaves traces. Nevertheless, I think digital art has its place. My father was one of the first programmers at IBM and I somehow experienced the process of digitalisation as a child. At home, we had boxes and boxes of punched cards – white ones, but also pastel ones. They had a slim format with rounded corners. I had my greatest pleasure in marking and painting them. I am currently developing my first NFT collection, ‘ORIGINS’, which will be released at the end of this year. I am open to new art forms and techniques.
“My father was one of the first programmers at IBM and I somehow experienced the process of digitalisation as a child. At home, we had boxes and boxes of punched cards – white ones, but also pastel ones. They had a slim format with rounded corners. I had my greatest pleasure in marking and painting them. I am currently developing my first NFT collection, ‘ORIGINS’, which will be released at the end of this year. I am open to new art forms and techniques.“
– Anne-Marie Fischer, Artist
It’s time for a short rapid fire:
A book you keep going back to…
My own notebook, where I collect my flashes of inspiration and my thoughts
Your Hidden Talent…
While working as a teacher, I discovered that I had a talent for helping other people, to find their own talent.
Your Biggest Pet Peeve…
Oh, I dislike wasting material!
Preferred Superpower: Reading minds or ability to be invisible…
Possibly being invisible could be interesting
Ideal Day Off…
At home, on a rainy day, preferably in bed with a pot of hot tea and a pile of art books
An advice/quote that has stuck with you…
Don’t think about things for too long, Just start and see what happens.
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Date added:
8 November, 2023
