Design Talk with Johannes Willi

The Design Guide not only leads to inspiring places, but also portrays creative makers who shape the vibe of the local design scene – like artist Johannes Willi.

1. Chal­lenge: What are you thinking about right now?

How do I fit every­thing I want to do into one day?

2. Passion: What do you love about your job?

The freedom to decide what I want to do each day.

3. Desired coop­er­a­tion: with whom would you like to realise a project?

With Jacob Ott, an artist with whom I work again and again anyway. It’s exciting every time and I’m already looking forward to the next big thing.

4. Art Basel: Art Basel: are you involved with one or more projects?

es, I am co-organ­ising the “I Never Read, Art Book Fair”, which will take place this year in the Kaserne and will open on Wednesday 14.6 at 6 pm. In addi­tion, the exhi­bi­tion “Neubau Tropenin­stitut” is currently running in the exhi­bi­tion space Rhythmus Messy Cambio. Infor­ma­tion on both events can be found here: ineverread.com rhythmusmessycambio.earth.

5. What events are you hanging out at during this year’s Art Basel?

Monday: List and Art Awards including party in the evening at the Kaserne
Tuesday: Opening of Art Basel and Unlim­ited
Wednesday: Opening “I Never Read, Art Book Fair” and after­wards possibly to Vitra. From 10 p.m. we go to Mykki Blanco at the Basel Social Club.

6. Dinner-round: Who from the Swiss and inter­na­tional design scene would ideally sit at the table with you?

All lecturers from the Trends & Iden­tity at the ZHdK.

7. Stay­ca­tion: Stay­ca­tion: Which Swiss city or region inspires you?

I travel a lot by road bike and learned to hate and love the Appen­zell hills during a resi­dency at the Sitterwek in St.Gallen. A dream­like land­scape.

8. Design object: Do you have a favourite piece at home and why are you attached to it?

My bicycle. On it I think, I rest, I suffer, I rejoice … so many emotions.
Check: @vc_madonna

9. Gift: Where do you find the coolest gifts and what would you like to give your­self?

At exhi­bi­tions of artist friends! I would like to give myself many fantastic works that I come across at exhi­bi­tions. I think people should buy more art, espe­cially from young artists.

10. Time travel: What do you think you’ll be doing in five years’ time?

I hope to be with all my friends.