After a short preparation period in Basel, Lucas Gross, the initiator and the eternally seeking, has already returned to Australia again to find a suitable bus. In the meantime the application period began. Looking for: three Australian and three Swiss young artists, who seek the adventure and take the chance to go on tour with him in this community of fate. Kick off will be at the beginning of October - in Sydney. But first of all and with united forces, the bus will need to be converted into a rolling artistic micro cosmos. The reason being: from October 2010 until March 2011 the very mobile studio will be home, means of transportation and showroom.

The artistic work of the 34 years old Gross, living in Basel, is about the courage to face up to life and to redefine it again and again. And “a mobile studio in Australia” tells exactly that very story. An attitude this magazine embraces. We are very pleased that we as partners and supporters share this experiment and we will report about the mobile studio from now on regularly. We met the artist in Basel to chat about his attitude towards life, about the art and the emergence of the idea of the mobile studio.

A — What actually motivates you?

LG — Seems to be simply answered - but is indeed a difficult question. I also know the other side, when there is a lack of motivation - or better to say - when all seems to be blocked by too much of it.

ABOUT — Hello Lucas! Good that we were able to catch up before your departure to Australia.
Excited yet?

LUCAS GROSS — I hardly have time for that. I have just quickly reserved a show room in Basel for May 2011. As if it is not such a big deal!

Besides the inevitably formed community, the most exciting thing for the 34 years old artist is and remains, that everyone will be exposed to similar impressions, thought processing these differently in their own artistic ways. According to Oscar Wilde: “No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.” The result will be seen at a collaboratively conceived exhibition in March 2011 in Sydney and then in May in Basel - and of course here with us, in this magazine. It will get exciting, as the outcome is open.

A — What is your mission? How did you come about the idea for the project?

LG — With no real intention to travel, I ended up in Australia last year together with some acquaintances. At the end I stayed much longer than my friends. I was travelling around alone in an estate car and had only my digital camera with me. I was simply me. The ideas often came to me whilst sitting at tables in the National Parks. And I simply had a lot of time to process my own ideas uncompromisingly. It is astonishing, but the time, which usually passes by so quickly, starts to expand relatively fast again.  

A — What is your mission? What do you give up for this project?

LG — My home as a sanctuary. My social network. Now and again the certainty that I am close to my ageing father here in Switzerland - should he pass away. Altogether, I give up the every-day safety. Switzerland is overflowing with it. I have to leave this safe haven, in order to enjoy my mobile studio experience.

A — Is this going to be a sort of self-awareness trip?

LG — No, certainly not. I for myself want to test the hypothesis, that these circumstances - strangers and the outland - are supportive for the creative process. Switzerland seems to be too constricting and uninspiring compared to the wide world.

LG — For one thing, there is this unbelievable dimension and vastness of this country. And the Australian mentality is a blessing. The people are open minded and direct, without the often alleged superficiality. This, their love for travelling and their recycling culture is basis for the acceptance of a touring, unconventional bus project with artists and their crazy ideas.

A — And Switzerland? How does it come into play?

LG — Who in Switzerland knows about art from Australia? I will gladly bring some Australia back home to Switzerland. I am sure that the exhibition in Switzerland at the end of the project will convey a much more authentic picture about Australia.

A — But why Australia? As you said yourself, the world is wide
and big?

LG — I depend on support, sure. Without incentives I would not be able to make such a project happen. I am happy to invest time in the organisation and I use for example my own private devises, so that the support money levels out with my personal expenditure. Also, the artists participate financially in their flights to Australia and despite requested support there is no indulgence at the costs of the sponsors. As the funding had just kicked in, I cannot say much about the coming decision of the committees. To wait for patrons these days is illusionary, but if someone feels inspired by this article, I am happy about getting in contact.

A — How do you pay for everything, actually?

A — Who selects the artists? You?

LG — No, dear God. I am one of them. The selection of the artists is done by a jury. The jury contains of national well-known art historians. The group of artists is selected according to the criteria of the project.

A — When will we hear from you again?

LG — I will be in touch during my preparation time in Australia. For now, I will go and look for a bus, get in contact with creative minds, talk to gallery owners and prepare the actual project. You will hear from me, that is for sure!