Dreamish
10 questions for Paule Hammer


Why are so many of your works so gigantic?
They could be even bigger, if you ask me! I enjoy the physical experience, both when I’m making them and when I’m looking at them. And I like the whole rhythm of working that keeps me moving between my desk and the artwork.
How did your cooperation with Motel One come about?
Motel One was looking for a Leipzig-based artist whose work had something to do with the topic of writing and communication. As there is a lot of text in my work, they chose me.
Image or text?
The combination of image and text has always appealed to me. After the first impression, a picture suddenly evokes a deeper reaction.
How do you set about tackling a Project?
Many of my artworks begin with a certain spark. If the inspiration is strong enough, it soon starts to take form. Sometimes it works the other way around: first the picture and then the text. But that can all take years.
What was it like working with Motel One?
For me it’s a huge privilege to be given such a huge area to work on in this central part of the city. As my brief, I was given room plans and colour samples of the planned interior, as well as the general theme of writing, networking and communication. And much to my delight, my “Map of a Dream World” was approved right away.


What does this dream world look like?
It’s all there, everything from completely distorted scenarios to humdrum everyday scenes. Only when I looked at the travel dreams did I realise that certain versions of myself appear in several places.
Who is the person speaking in the texts of your artwork?
The “I” in the texts is actually me. But I appear in different forms each time: sometimes as an old man, sometimes as a seven-year-old girl.
Communication has many facets – which ones do you prefer to use?
Writing is a communicative process. The networking idea is conveyed by the fact that I have visited all the places marked on the world map as a different person in my dreams. And, to match the destination of the picture, I have incorporated stamp visuals from the last two centuries.
Do you write letters?
I haven’t written any letters for a long time now. Something very special would have to happen for me to do that.
Does your hometown of Leipzig have an influence on your work?
Quite a significant one, actually. Everyone is influenced by the specific forms that have surrounded them since childhood. And the world views and political systems I have experienced also influence my work.