Meet Lilli Muller | Artist / Visionary

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lilli Muller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lilli, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!” – Helen Keller. As an artist, you have to expand yourself beyond yourself, by taking risks, creating outside the box, dare to experiment, to fail, get up and have the courage to jump right back into the unknown again and again. My whole life was all about jumping first, and then thinking about the landing… I have led an adventurous life with many ups and downs, many crash landings, as well as some amazing discoveries, wow moments, and revelations about who I am as a person. Those priceless experiences shaped my life as an artist, and therefore helped define my art and artmaking process. Being an artist is definitely not a career decision for the faint of heart! Adventure was always on my daily agenda, in order to let the unknown and unexpected appear, and see where it leads me. I purposely allow the unpredictable into my artmaking process, for example, when I cast people with a few projects in mind, I allow them to be themselves, give them basic project outlines, and allow them to interpret it in their way. They can then strike the pose that they feel is representing what I am trying to portray, and that creates the variable I am looking for —one I could not in a million years come up with myself. That allows the participant and viewer to be an active part in the creation, and that is the element of surprise that still keeps me hooked and excited. I realize by now in hindsight that I came to this country for artistic survival. Here I had the opportunity to expand myself, push my own boundaries, and experiment in my artmaking with full freedom, free of any restraint, culturally and socially. I was able to grow in ways that I would never have experienced if I had stayed in Germany, or been a full-time student at any university.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a multidisciplinary artist currently living and working in Los Angeles. Born in Germany I came to the US in 1980 for “artistic survival”. Here I developed and expanded over the years my evolution of artmaking, from 2D drawings to 3D sculptures and sculpture installations. I also mastered the art of body casting in plaster and fiberglass that became part of, but not exclusively, my signature work. Much of my artmaking is done in public settings, with group casting performances involving the local audience and friends. Including outside participants is key to my process of creation. My mantra: to create artwork with the people, for the people and about the people. The underlying red thread is self discovery, personal experiences, and life in general, as it morphs in response to the global refugee crisis, the worldwide diaspora, human suffering, and humanity as a whole in every facet. I try to create from personal experiences and expand them to make the work universally accessible, and attempt to add as many viewpoints for the audience to always find something to walk away with and relate to. My objective is all inclusive, non-discriminatory work that engages the audience in dialog and participation, to gain emotional response, to open eyes, hearts and minds by sharing stories and connecting people, and to invoke change and transformation. Over the years my work has evolved from single sculptures to entire large-scale multidisciplinary narrative installations including performance, video, sound and audience participation, designed to draw the viewer inside the artwork for a full and immersive experience. Was it easy? Absolutely not! Being a true artist is not something you become or you chose. You are either born with it, or not. You cannot help yourself. My mentor Louise Bourgeois always called it a “curse,” but I also see it as a savior in a way, allowing us to experience the ultimate freedom we can experience in mind and body while creating. It is a hard job. You have to be 1000% committed, no matter what comes your way. It’s definitely not for everyone. It takes a very specific disciplined and creative person. Once in a while in the beginning, when first starting out, I used to wish to be a “normal” person with a “normal” job. But then, I immediately abandoned that thought, because I knew deep down, it would never work. Many comfort zones are abandoned, you make many sacrifices, and yet it’s ok, because you create, need to create, and need that energy to do so, no matter what. Sounds cheesy? – Well, it’s really not, it’s rough! Trust me. The way to overcome challenges is to remain focused. You just plough through them, be creative, brainstorm, exercise creative financing, think outside the box, change your viewpoints all the time. Know there is always a way, and somehow you will make it work. I am a single mom with no family in this country to help out, living in a 1600 sq ft artist loft in a building on Skid Row, raising my daughter in the 90s. More than 50% of my full-time job went for full-time nanny, kindergarten, school…and after coming home at night, taking care of my daughter till bedtime, I made art till 2 or 3 in the morning, only to be back at work at 9am. Was it easy? Hell no! Lessons? Don’t take anything personal. Find your voice, develop your voice. Make art every day consistently, even if it’s only 30 min. or an hour. Being a successful artist is a job – a full-time 24/7 job. Treat it as such. Follow your gut at all times. Your unique voice is the one no one else has, and that makes you authentic. Create, create, create and never stop visualizing your dreams and creating your visions. Go for it at all times. My future: I will be moving to Venice Italy within the next year, and expanding my exhibitions in Europe and beyond. From there, I plan to travel the world and make impact in communities by creating large-scale art projects with the people, for the people and about the people. I hope it will help heal, empower, give purpose, transform, provide strength, and touch people’s lives. That is my purpose – to do all of that through my art creations, one person and one art piece at a time. WE ARE HUMANITY.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, there are 2 categories: During COVID and Post COVID travel, and some of the place I mention might not even be with us any longer, on a sad note. But here are my choices: During COVID: Of course we must start our tour in Downtown LA – still the heart of our vibrant city. Walk GRAND PARK Downtown and experience the new and improved Music Center with its beautiful fountain and the amazing architecture of Disney Hall. And if you are into Streetart, LA is the city of murals and guerilla street art: Cindy Schwartzstein has founded Cartwheel and she is the go-to for mural tours and all street art in DTLA and all over LA. For all art and booking tours here is the place to go: www.CartwheelArt.comSpecial feature: You can view Art At The Rendon x SO|DA // STATE OF THE WORLD  She will also have something else to share soon that is for virtual programming next month.  The CHINA TOWN PARK is also a must-see, to walk and explore the unusual and perfectly maintained landscaping, right in the middle of Downtown. Driving around DTLA, we check out those beautiful old Bridges, then drive to HOLLYWOOD along Hollywood Blvd. Get out and walk the deserted Walk of Fame (which is actually much more comfortable to do now that there are fewer people on the streets!) Make a pit stop at Mann’s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood & Highland Mall, pausing to take in the amazing view of that iconic Hollywood sign. Then head to WEST HOLLYWOOD along Santa Monica BLVD, to see the many public art installations in the middle of the boulevard median. Continue West to SANTA MONICA, check out the PIER and drive up along 101 to Malibu. Take a walk along any of the picturesque beaches there, enjoying the coastal views and maybe some dolphins, then take the longest street in LA – the lovely and winding Sunset Blvd – all the way back to Hollywood. (Of course, we are known for our wide sandy beaches and the beautiful communities that are built around them, so time permitting, perhaps explore Playa Del Rey and Long Beach.) Through all of this, we will enjoy ( hopefully) the driving through the extensive vast FREEWAY SYSTEMS in LA , to give the visitor a feel of the vastness of our city while taking in the car culture we are also known for ( and the traffic!) LA is also known for its’ unusually high number and artistic quality of its’ public art murals. You will see many while you are driving, especially in DT and the Arts District. You can also take a virtual Mural Tour through the Arts District Downtown , East LA and Hollywood! One more stop – The LA ZOO and Botanical Gardens on Zoo Drive are a real treat, and re-opening very soon. (check the actual opening date before heading over) It is one of the nicest zoos in Southern California, with beautiful landscaping, good food, and you can actually have a glass of wine or beer while wandering around watching the animals in their habitats! To eat and hang out in the heart of the city while remembering we are still observing COVID guidelines.. Must eat is WURSTKÜCHE with its amazing exotic variety of sausages (from rattlesnake to buffalo – you get the drift) and don’t miss their killer Belgian fries and huge variety of draft beers from around the world. They have plenty of outdoor seating too. Speaking of beer- If you love great beers with a pretty sunset and skyline view of Downtown, check out locals-favorite, The ESCONDITE on Boyd Street. They feature great local musicians, outside rocking chairs with safely spaced-out tables, and a few converted vintage trucks serving your seating areas and tables. Perfect to have an ice cold brew and some yummy bar food! (Shoutout to Brian! ) For take-out, consider the amazing menu cooked and served by the lovely ladies of the NICKEL DINER. Check out this old school diner with excellent food in the heart of Downtown on Main Street. No matter what time of day, try one of their bacon donuts ( if there are any left!) If you are looking for a fun night out – LA features DRIVE THROUGH MOVIES – popular again since regular theaters are still closed . Finally – end your time with a SWAN RIDE in the lake at Echo PARK. It’s definitely something fun to do in Covid time and beyond! Great for children and for lovers – as you cruise around in paddleboats disguised as swans in the newly landscaped Echo Park Lake. Beware of real ducks and swans if you are walking the perimeter! POST COVID: Add to the above: • The Resident Bar and music Venue in the Arts District • Philippe’s French Dipped Sandwich Place (it’s currently open with parking lot seating) • The Blue Whale jazz bar, Little Tokyo • Chinatown with all their shops and restaurants • Musso and Franks, a famed Hollywood landmark restaurant • Clifton’s Cafetria, Downtown LA. Must explore all levels if open! And for a bit further out of town : • Laguna Beach, the most beautiful beaches, small coves and private sands along the coastline (30-40min south) • Joshua Tree National Park for hiking and sitting on a rock in quiet. Enjoying the beauty of the desert never gets old. (2hrs) • Big Bear Lake , if you like high altitude and real trees, a bit of snow right now, and a beautiful lake for boating, hiking and just enjoying nature (2hrs)

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story? The moment that profoundly changed my life was the day I met Louise Bourgeois. She invited me for tea at her home in Chelsea, and offered to review my artwork slides one afternoon (back in the day when art was presented on slides and 4×5 transparencies.) That meeting began my real journey as an artist, and from that day forward she met with me annually one on one, and later, with some of her friends and fellow artists at her famous Sunday salons. These were memorable days with artists that she personally assembled for show and tell, critique and feedback. She was my mentor, a grand creator extraordinaire, and a friend until her passing. I miss her wisdom, friendship, and insight, and am eternally grateful for the time we shared. I will never forget her most valuable lesson: Find your own unique voice, develop it no matter what anyone says, no matter what the dealer, agent, or gallery director tells you, always stay true to yourself, and stay authentic. That’s what makes you unique. It is a lesson I will never forget, and is in part why I am who I am today. During my life in Laguna Beach and later in Los Angeles where I currently reside and work, I have met so many important people in my life. Each of them has helped and supported me in some meaningful way, by believing in me and my work, and helping me to realize my crazy visions and projects. A big SHOUTOUT to my LA support group, including Charles Desmarais, Jay Belloli, Louise Capone, Yuval Bar-Zemer, Tom Gilmore, Serge Armando, Qathryn Brehm, The DEW Foundation, Mark Walsh, Rick Robinson, Dale Youngman, Jedi, IAA, Remo Packer, Elizabeth Wheeler, Bill Cooper and the City of Los Angeles itself. I also have many supporters all over the world, including many in Germany and Italy. Much gratitude to all of you, and anyone I forgot to mention, you know who you are! I am grateful to all of you for supporting me, and helping me to continue to create and touch and transform people’s lives, one person and one piece of art at a time.

Website: www.LilliMuller.com

Instagram: @TheRealLilliMuller

Linkedin: Lilli Muller

Youtube: Lilli Muller