A pink washing machine on the roof of an abandoned building in Setúbal. It was the first appearance of a work by Superlinox in the public space, in 2020. Since then, the unknown artist from Setúbal, who goes by the name of Superlinox, has already placed dozens of sculptures on the streets of cities, mostly in Setúbal, your motherland. But in Lisbon, 19 Superlinox sculptures have already been found. We spoke to him via chat and email, but we still don’t know who he is.
I read that you have a degree in Sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon. And what can we know more about you? Do you have a so-called normal job?
To change the rules of a game, you need to understand its original rules, right? Yes, I studied Sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon. Perhaps, a few years ago, he was one of the Lisbon Airport Falconers [risos]. I don’t know if I have a “normal” job, but it offers me the financial stability and the time I need to make my “poetic investments”.
Why so much mystery?
I don’t know if I understand the question. Should not artists – or poets – be, by definition and nature, all mysterious? What will happen to art when it ceases to be mysterious?
How was the name Superlinox chosen?
Given what I was planning to start, it was implied that I would need to come up with a name. I remembered that when I played wildlands or Dying Light with friends online, they called me Linox. I felt that this name lacked attitude and a conceptual charge. Inspired by the idea of a “superhero” or a “super-villain”, I decided to invent a “super-artist”. I imagined that this soft arrogance would have two possible outcomes: either they will love me or they will hate me. I believe this must be our feeling for art and artists: an intense relationship.
How many sculptures has Superlinox already offered to the streets of cities (in total) and how many have appeared in the municipality of Lisbon? Any still remain?
In total, I have already made 36 offerings. In Lisbon, 19. In Setúbal, three sculptures remain. Fresh Air Urgency (2021) remains on top of one of the walls of the train station, refreshing the spirits of bored people from Setúbal. O Carlos (2021) reappeared and remains installed in the controversial “Fountain of the Egg”, in the roundabout of the Hospital de São Bernardo, controlling the waters of the source and alerting the people of Setúbal to the problem of sleepwalking. THE Letter to Youth (2022) will remain in the inner courtyard of the Dom Manuel Martins Secondary School – it was the first commissioned work. In Lisbon, the invasion of the monoliths lasted as long as it was supposed to last: little. The festive spirit of Liliana (2021) and the irreverence of Rasta bitch (2021), also did not allow them to stay in the same place for a long time – they only lasted one day. Remain Melnyk brothers, under the care of the Escola Básica O Leão de Arroios; remains the Daisy (2021), a hipster girl, with Repsol do Casal Ventoso; Gift for Poetry to brighten up the atmosphere of Chiado and Pessoa; and the Sofiaa diva who can’t stand crumbs, remains confident next to the Santa Justa Elevator, in Chiado.
Who is the Sofia that now appeared on Rua do Carmo?
THE Sofia she is a woman full of conviction, self-esteem and self-love, who does not tolerate crumbs! Before respecting others, she is concerned with respecting herself. THE Sofia is a diva that has proved to be quite photogenic. I suspect that, however, she has already become a muse to many people. Perhaps the question becomes more interesting in reverse: who is the Sofia for you guys?
What messages do you want to convey with these works?
The nature of a message tends to be an objective thing. A good message must be clear, direct and with no room for great interpretations. The communication of art has to be of a different nature. Art conveys ideas, intentions or energies. Energies have different impacts on people, don’t they? Each person will interpret and relate to art in their own way. Even if art is a lie, in principle it should provoke real reactions in people who have the courage to relate to it. Not everyone has that courage.
Do you feel sad when sculptures are removed from public space?
I don’t really know… I don’t think I’m sad anymore. Is it not ephemerality that gives meaning to life? Is it not ephemerality that gives rise to the feeling of beauty in us? I’m much more interested in knowing if the community is sad or not. In fact, I feel like a film director: I create these characters who have their moment in the film. At a certain point, the characters have to leave the scene, don’t they? However, others come in. And so on.
Have you ever been almost caught?
Not. And from now on, I’ll hardly be caught. Meanwhile, the team has grown. If any authority interrupts a future installation, my assistants will know very well what to do and say.
How do you react when compared to Banksy?
Banksy is clearly a reference, not only for me, but worldwide. Although Banksy’s work methodology is very different from mine, I understand the comparison and I’m obviously flattered. How not? Banksy revolutionized art and the art world! However, I can’t help but think: if I already have a name, why would they call me another one? Are they trying to make me bullying? I would be surprised if they compared me to Marcel Duchamp or Andy Warhol.
Follow Superlinox’s work on his official Instagram page.
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Tags: Superlinox mystery artist left Sofia Santa Justa Elevator
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