Clad in a Hawaiian shirt with a pair of round Corbusier glasses perched on his nose and with his pierced ears, he seems like an eternally youthful bird of paradise. But his peaceful demeanour and his wisdom don’t just radiate a Zen-like aura, they also make it very clear that Eddie Hara has gathered plenty of experience in his 63 years. Perhaps it is precisely this combination which makes the artist and his creations so appealing, in particular to the younger generation as well.
When we met for an interview with this Basel local, who originally haled from Indonesia, he had come straight from a big assignment: “I am very relieved, because I have just completed the mural for the CBD Shop ADAMS in the Steinenvorstadt.” What else has Eddie been up to these last covid months and what he would most like to bring over here to Basel from Indonesia? Read for yourself!
Eddie, you have not had such an easy last year either, have you? How did you get through 2020?
Yeah, the last year has really not been an easy one. I was sick with covid myself too. Luckily not too severely. But once again, I realised how grateful I am for my family. We gave each other strength without getting on each other’s nerves. Financially, luckily, I had enough savings to see us through. As an artist you are used to being alone a lot anyway. But I do still really miss the interaction with other people. So, I am really extremely relieved that things are slowly getting back to something like normality.
It is no secret that your work is often inspired by the frustration in this world. Has this crisis we are living through maybe even enriched you artistically?
Well loneliness is definitely an issue that I have been devoting more time to. In this respect, I suppose you can talk about a certain degree of enrichment. My fury is always directed towards our society and the way it sometimes deals with our world. On this score, I was grateful for the sudden freeze; we were all challenged with the need to finally just stop and pause. All at once the sky was clear and the birds seemed to be chirping more loudly. And I also became aware myself about how many things I don’t actually need. People have got used to always getting what they need, immediately. But now, it’s different, everything is not just automatically available; which also shows that we people are much more patient than we had assumed up till now.
What have you missed most during this time?
The art crowd. And I don’t just mean the parties. For me, my discussions with artists from all over the world are really vital. Sure, you can network online but that is just not the same thing. But hey, now I am even selling my work via Instagram.
I love it when mothers tell their children stories about my work.
How much has your work been affected by these changes?
Well before, I mainly worked alone in my studio. But in recent months I have been busy painting large-scale murals. So, I am now actually in closer contact with other people – and I really treasure that. People react to my work. I love it when mothers tell their children stories about my work. Everyone sees something different in my creations. And that is precisely my goal: to create art for everyone.
How do you make sure that you don’t lose you grip on reality?
Well, just the fact that I live in Basel automatically keeps me grounded. Basel is a city so rich in culture, so well-educated, and yet very modest. Most of the children here already get to visit museums during their school years. For us in Asia, that is still a luxury. Despite the cultural splendour the vibe here is much more laid-back than in Zurich, London and New York. I love to see how the locals in Basel – young people too! – often choose to go to the theatre or a concert rather than buy themselves some luxury object. I think that’s just wonderful!
Is there anything that you would like to bring over here from your home country, Indonesia?
More communal living in Basel – that would be great! For example, I would love it if there were more street parties, where normal people just cook for each other, everyone brings out their own chairs and things, and people just celebrate life together.
Basel could definitely do with more greenery!
Where in Basel do you most like to spend your time?
I love strolling along the Rhine; past the Tinguely Museum and over the bridge into the St. Alban district. I always feel as though I have moved back in time there. And it is very green too. Basel could definitely do with more greenery!
What does the district you live in, Kleinbasel, mean to you?
I am a big fan of this area! For me, Kleinbasel is like a small version of Brooklyn. There is room for everyone here, from dealers to creative people. I just don’t understand why some people are still afraid of Kleinbasel .For example, I could not imagine going to live up on the Bruderholz: Who is going to help you there if you get mugged? (laughs)
If you were going to draw a picture of yourself, what would you look like?
I am like an old version of Popeye – the sailor who was marooned one fine day and found himself in the embrace of Madame Basel. Happy, secure and full of inspiration! But at the same time, he knows he could sail off to the other end of the world again whenever the fancy takes him. Well, soon again. Hopefully.
