From Vacuum-Packed Bodies to Seagull Hotels: Inside Lawrence Malstaf's Studio
Episode 29
Anastasia Parmson, Lawrence Malstaf
3/19/20252 min read
Try Descript: https://get.descript.com/s8kjemvu79fz
In this episode, we sit down with Belgian artist Lawrence Malstaf, whose innovative work exists at the fascinating intersection of visual art, performance, and theatrical experience. Based in Tromsø, Norway, Malstaf has earned international acclaim for his immersive installations that transform viewers into active participants.
Episode Highlights:
• Lawrence shares his journey from studying industrial design (rather than fine art at his parents' suggestion) to discovering how this technical background gave him invaluable skills in working with contemporary materials.
• We discuss Malstaf’s famous vacuum piece "Shrink" (1995), where participants are sealed between plastic sheets while air is slowly removed, creating both a striking visual image and physical experience that differs dramatically for viewers versus participants.
• His recent focus on sustainable art practices and an innovative project creating "hotels" for endangered kittiwake seagulls in Tromsø, transforming an urban nuisance into an interspecies art project.
02:44 Quick Questions
05:27 Childhood and Early Influences
07:51 Industrial Design and Artistic Beginnings
09:46 Theater and Installation Art
16:41 Creating Opportunities and Multidisciplinary Spaces
21:50 Sustainable Art and Seagull Project
25:16 Audience Interaction and Physical Experience
29:19 Behind The Scenes Challenges
32:48 Artistic Evolution and Viral Fame
38:22 Sustainable Art Practices
41:48 Income From Art
44:27 Proudest Moments and Career Reflections
47:42 Advice for Emerging Artists
49:44 Internship Opportunity
51:48 Dream Projects
58:46 Where to Find More Information
Lawrence Malstaf (b. 1972, Bruges, Belgium) is based in Tromsø, Norway. He creates installation and performance art that exists at the borderline between visual arts and theatrical experience. With a focus on movement, coincidence, order and chaos, he develops immersive sensorial environments that often position visitors as co-actors in the artwork. His background in industrial design informs his technical approach to materials and mechanisms, while his experience in scenography for dance and theater influences the performative aspects of his installations.
You can find out more about his work on his website: https://www.lawrencemalstaf.com/ and get the latest updates on his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrencemalstaf/
Malstaf is represented by Tallieu Art Office: https://www.artoffice.be/artists/lawrence-malstaf/
All images courtesy of the artist.
Also mentioned in this episode:
Ischa Tallieu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ischatallieu/?originalSubdomain=be
Tailleu Art Office: https://www.artoffice.be/ | https://www.instagram.com/tallieu_art
Bains Connective in Brussels: https://www.artfactories.net/Les-Bains-Connective-Bruxelles.html
Frankfurter Kunstverein: https://www.fkv.de/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/frankfurterkunstverein/ | @FrankfurterKunstverein
FILE Festival for Electronic Languages: https://file.org.br/ https://www.instagram.com/filefestival/
Paola Perissinotto: https://digitalartarchive.at/database/artist/1340/
Delphin Ruché: https://www.rissa-cs.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/rissa_citizen_science/
🔔 Scroll down to the footer of this page and subscribe to never miss a new episode.
📢 Follow us on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/
Tiktok: @installationartpodcast
🗣️ Join the conversation in our Linkedin group The Installation Art Society, a space for conversations about installation art and a platform for practitioners to share insights, discuss technical aspects, and exchange behind-the-scenes stories: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14532340/
