Galerie Judin is presenting ›Pull the Rug‹, a site-specific installation by Michael Sailstorfer, as part of Gallery Night during Berlin Art Week 2026.
Do you have a daily ritual that gives you structure or inspiration?
Yes. Regular walks with our dog Lycka. When I’m working, I’m usually so immersed in what I’m doing that I forget everything else. I often don’t even think about eating or drinking. But I can’t forget Lycka—she lets me know when she wants to go out. That’s usually a welcome break for me too. It gives my day structure and keeps me grounded.
What would you do if time, money, and other resources were no object?
I’d do exactly the same.
Has there been a book that fundamentally changed your perspective—and why would you recommend it?
Several books immediately come to mind that have fundamentally changed my perspective, so it’s not easy to choose just one. But there is one book that stands out, and it’s easy to say why it had such a lasting impact on me. As a teenager, I read Irving Stone’s ›Michelangelo‹. It was one of the reasons I decided to become a sculptor. You can feel the drive with which the artist lived his life throughout the book. That inner force seems to make the seemingly impossible possible. For example, he had a road built into a mountain so he could obtain the purest marble for his work. I found that energy incredibly inspiring.
What do you wish you had known earlier?
I wish I’d realised earlier that our time isn’t unlimited. Everything is fragile and can change in an instant. Once I truly understood that, the value of the time I have in life took on a whole new meaning.
Where do you recharge your batteries?
I recharge my batteries in the countryside. Best of all is when we’re all together: my wife Madeleine, my daughters Selma and Liv, and, of course, Lycka.
Is there a work of art you would love to have in your home?
I’d love to have Brancusi’s ›Bird in Space‹ in our garden. As a child, I saw the artist’s sculptures at the Pompidou in Paris with my parents. Even then, I found his work fascinating. A few weeks ago, I visited the current Brancusi exhibition at Neue Nationalgalerie, and my enthusiasm hasn’t faded. It’s the abstraction that leaves room for playfulness and poetry. I also admire the craftsmanship, the physicality of the work.
Which exhibition venue in Berlin inspires you?
Schinkel Pavillon. I look forward to the announcement of every new exhibition there. I always enjoy visiting, and more often than not I leave surprised and inspired.
What fascinates you about Berlin?
I’m still fascinated by the countless opportunities to experience art and culture in Berlin.
What’s one item you couldn’t live without?
That’s a difficult one. I’d have to say our country house. To me, it represents home, space, openness, being grounded—and so much more.
What keeps you going?
I love art. I love what I do. That’s what gets me out of bed every morning. That’s what keeps me going.
Which personality would you like to have a conversation with—and what would you talk about?
I’d have loved to talk to Gordon Matta-Clark. I’d ask him what drove him, what a house represented to him, and how he saw the relationship between his work and his life. I deeply admire his work. It has stayed with me since my student days and keeps resurfacing. I’ve read countless texts about his practice, but I think there’s still much more to be written.
What do you look forward to when your working day comes to an end?
I look forward to spending the evening with my family.