As part of Hedi Slimane's guest edition of Wallpaper*, we challenged German artist extraordinaire Thomas Demand, with the task of interviewing him. And naturally we couldn't resist the urge to find out a little more about Mr Demand at the same time. We were intrigued to hear what a day in the life of the artist consists of: what his dream lunch would consist of, what terrifies him daily and what he'd choose to be reincarnated as...
What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up this morning?
I was wondering whether I'll make my deadline for my next project in Milan.
What do you wear to work?
Jeans, Adidas and a T-shirt.
What do you have for breakfast?
Nothing to eat, just a coffee.
Do you read a newspaper/watch television/click online?
All I can get, but TV makes me a bit lame.
How do you get to work?
I walk.
What time do you first check your inbox?
11am.
Where are your desk and chair from?
My table's by Eiermann, my chair is the Revolt by Friso Kramer.
If you could save only one item from your office/studio what would it be?
My safe.
Do you listen to music whilst you work? If so, what are you listening to at the moment?
Animal Collective, Sunn O))), DJ Koze.
Where would your ideal lunch be and who would it be with?
Alone in a garden restaurant with Bavarian white sausages at 11am on a Sunday.
Summarise your work ethos in a few words?
The early bird picks the corn.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Never being early.
What do you think is the most overrated virtue?
Working out and not needing any sleep.
Is there any single person that particularly inspires you?
My mum.
Where do you feel most inspired?
Between 10pm and 2am.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Ask me in ten years?
How do you switch off?
Reading about cars and swimming.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
An artist.
What excites you/terrifies you on a daily basis?
Deadlines, bad driving, sunburn, thinking about retirement.
Would you like to be your own assistant?
I am.
Is there anything about retirement you look forward to?
Bad hearing, bad memory, wearing suspenders.
If you could choose to come back as person or thing, who or what would it be?
A Faberge egg?
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