Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Best of Design Matters Featuring Olafur Eliasson

Release Date: May 26, 2025
Host: Debbie Millman
Guest: Olafur Eliasson
Podcast Description:
Design Matters with Debbie Millman explores the creative journeys of designers and other creative individuals, delving into their processes, inspirations, and the impact of their work on the world.

Introduction to Olafur Eliasson

Debbie Millman welcomes Olafur Eliasson to the podcast, highlighting his focus on creating art that engages viewers by incorporating their participation. The episode originally aired in October 2024 and showcases Eliasson's innovative approach to art and design.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "I need to be less defensive. I need to release my honesty. I need to come through with my story." ([00:36])

Collections and Inspirations

Debbie Millman begins by asking Eliasson about his unique collections, including vintage light bulbs and antique owls. Eliasson elaborates on his diverse interests, mentioning his collections of meteorites, compasses, and old incandescent bulbs. These objects serve as inspirations for his artistic endeavors, reflecting his fascination with both the natural and the manufactured.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "People are actually worth trusting when it comes to looking at art." ([01:14])

Early Life and Family Background

Eliasson shares his personal history, born in Copenhagen to Icelandic parents seeking better opportunities. His father was a cook, and his mother a seamstress. The small population of Iceland allows for extensive genealogical tracing, revealing a rich and diverse ancestry that includes connections back to the 11th century.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "I do span a bit. I'm not just Icelandic. I would cover a bit of Mediterranean genetic pool as well." ([06:19])

Perceptions of Happiness in Iceland

Discussing his homeland, Eliasson reflects on the high levels of happiness in Scandinavian countries, attributing it to strong social infrastructures, safety nets, and social mobility. He contrasts this with his observations of American society, noting that while democracy fosters contentment, it also risks complacency.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "Once you start to take [democracy] for granted, it is actually very wobbly because you start to think, nah, I don't really have to vote, it doesn't really matter." ([07:32])

Childhood Memories and Artistic Beginnings

Eliasson delves into his childhood, marked by his parents' separation when he was around four years old. His father's sporadic presence inspired his early creativity, encouraging him to use his imagination in drawing. These formative experiences fostered a deep connection with nature and abstract thinking, laying the groundwork for his future artistic endeavors.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "I thought, oh my God, America is like amazing. There's like, everything is perfect in America." ([07:45])

First Art Exhibitions and Passion for Dance

At the age of 15, Eliasson held his first solo art exhibition featuring drawings of cats and puffins. Concurrently, he pursued breakdancing, becoming a Scandinavian champion with the trio "Harlem Gun Crew." This blend of visual art and physical movement informed his later installations, emphasizing the interplay between perception and experience.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "So, being present and being unpresent at the same time, as you could say." ([24:22])

Educational Journey and Artistic Philosophy

Eliasson recounts his time in art school, where he was influenced by Gestalt psychology and phenomenology. These disciplines shaped his understanding of perception and the relational aspects of art. He emphasizes the importance of the viewer's experience, believing that art should be an active, participatory process rather than a passive consumption.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "What is the space between me and the world?" ([37:40])

Conceptual Art and Public Spaces

One of Eliasson's significant projects discussed is the "Weather Project" at the Tate Museum, where he transformed the space into an illusion of a meteorological event with a giant sun. He explores the concept of public spaces as communal areas that foster interaction and collective experience, challenging traditional museum settings by integrating urban elements.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "I want to make the Tate into a public square. It's a public space. It already was free of charge to get in." ([46:52])

Life World: A Contemporary Installation

Eliasson introduces his latest project, "Life World," a site-specific reflective video installation curated for WeTransfer. This installation is displayed on billboards in major cities like London, Seoul, Berlin, and soon Times Square in New York. "Life World" aims to create a moment of collective reflection, encouraging viewers to engage with their surroundings and each other in a shared, blurred visual experience.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "This project is about...honoring vulnerability in public space." ([50:24])

Themes of Vulnerability and Public Interaction

The discussion delves into how "Life World" fosters vulnerability and connection among viewers. By blurring the images on large screens, Eliasson invites individuals to project their narratives and emotions onto the installation, promoting introspection and communal empathy. This approach underscores his belief in the power of art to shape and reflect societal values.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "I believe that a great public space honors or holds vulnerability in its foreground." ([62:38])

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Debbie Millman wraps up the conversation by acknowledging Eliasson's profound impact on the art and design world, particularly in New York City. Eliasson expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his work and emphasizes the importance of community and mutual support in creating meaningful art.

Notable Quote:
Olafur Eliasson: "Master Kind. Thank you so much. It's my honor to be here." ([67:49])

Further Information

Listeners interested in experiencing "Life World" can visit WeTransfer.com. To explore more about Olafur Eliasson's body of work, visit ole4eliasson.net. Additionally, a retrospective of his work is available at the Auckland Art Gallery in New Zealand, highlighting over 30 years of his installations, sculptures, and photographs.

Producer and Credits:
Design Matters is produced for the TED Audio Collective by Curtis Fox Productions. The editor-in-chief of Design Matters Media is Emily Wyland.