Paul Riedmüller X Motel One Wien-Donau City
INTERVIEW
What is the name of your artwork?
‘Panta Rhei – Everything flows, nothing remains.’ The title is borrowed from the philosopher Heraclitus. It describes the constant change of all things – nothing stays the same. I wanted to make this idea visually tangible: through flowing transitions, broken forms and overlapping layers.
What are the central elements and what message or emotion do you want to convey with them?
My work is composed of several creative layers: realistic objects such as jugs or a landscape, combined with pixel-like fragments, graphic patterns and light. I am interested in the interplay of opposites: analogue/digital, old/new, calm/dynamic. The work is intended to draw attention to both the fleeting and the permanent – just as everything in life is in a state of flux.
What inspired you to create this artwork?
I am fascinated by how our perception is changing through digital media. Old motifs such as still lifes or landscape painting are not losing their relevance – they are simply changing their form. The idea was to make this transition visible. At the same time, I am strongly inspired by my surroundings. Architecture, urban structures, but also the nature that surrounds us here at this location.
What materials and techniques do you use?
I worked with various techniques: most of the work was applied freehand with acrylic paint and spray cans directly onto the wall. This allowed me to react flexibly to the spatial conditions and connect the different image levels organically. A central design element is the bar: here, a stylised pixel graphic was created using ceramic tiles. This surface was complemented by integrated neon LED elements that add specific accents.
What was the biggest challenge during the creation process?
Precisely coordinating the various materials and levels. The interplay of painting, light and architecture requires a lot of planning, but also a sense of improvisation on site. It was particularly exciting to continue the painting across several wall levels and angles without losing any of its impact.
What attracted you to this project?
I think the idea of making art accessible not only in traditional spaces but also in everyday settings – such as hotel lobbies – is fantastic. It was a very inspiring collaboration with plenty of room for artistic freedom and a clear commitment to quality.
To what extent does your work reflect the atmosphere, style or philosophy of Motel One or the location?
The work picks up on the philosophy of Motel One: urban, accessible, stylish. It invites guests to pause for a moment, take a closer look and perhaps even lose themselves a little – in details, forms and meanings. At the same time, it reflects its surroundings: a city in transition, between history and the digital present.
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*Pictures © Simon Veres
