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Interview feature for 'Späti Stories'

"Späti Stories #3: Charlie Casanova – Creating Through Contrasts


– Over the past week, the topic of "art in Berlin" has been making waves, especially with the recently announced austerity measures set to impact cultural funding in the city. The International Women in Berlin newsletter quoted an activist: "We're not just losing services; we're losing the soul of Berlin." This "soul of Berlin" and the “freedom spirit” we've been exploring since our first issue are deeply intertwined with the city's creative and artistic landscape. Today, we're shining a light on one incredible artist shaping that scene: Charlie Casanova, a multi-talented artist from Heidelberg who transforms discarded materials and raw emotions into visual series that resonate with a wide online audience. [...]


Charlie Casanova is a Taiwanese-German artist born in Heidelberg and based in Berlin. Originally trained in classical piano, she now works across multiple mediums — illustration, photography, multimedia art series — even composing her own scores. In Berlin, she found ways to create despite the perfectionism that had followed her since her early piano days.


She welcomed us into her Charlottenburg apartment-turned-studio. From the moment we arrived, her artistic spirit was evident in every corner: a large table dominated the living room, covered in photographs for an upcoming exhibition, brushes, and paint tubes. Around the room, miniatures and figures — including a No-Face from Spirited Away — served as clues to her references and inspirations. The space struck a delicate balance between bright cleanliness and creative chaos.

With her background in film, Charlie helped us set up the lighting for our interview. Though initially nervous, she gradually opened up, each response revealing a deep authenticity. When asked about the role of art in her life, Charlie's answer was simple yet profound: it is her life. "It's the way I feel most comfortable expressing myself," she shared. Her concerns about the current budget cuts in Berlin's arts sector run deep. "These cuts are diminishing opportunities for people to create and connect, especially after the pandemic when art's role in bringing people together became even more evident."




Theatre holds a special place in Charlie's heart and mind. During a difficult period in her life, she began attending plays, drawing both the performances and her thoughts as she watched. "Learning how to draw without reference, or just having the moment be the reference — because in theatre, everything passes so quickly. Everything vanishes pretty much immediately," she explains. "The difference is also a lot in being process-oriented compared to being result-oriented. And it's probably why I worship theatre so much, because there, process is everything. The process is partially the most beautiful thing."


This shift in perspective transformed both her art and her relationship with herself. "It's very, very hard if you have this innate feeling – or ccompulsion almost – that all work results must be of the hightest possible standard. And if it's not, you somehow feel like you've failed. You tend to stop feeling when there's pressure to make something the most perfect it can be. It's very different, if you love something so much that you just want to put as much energy and love into it as you are capable of. The perfection-driven approach has a lot to do with ego, the latter is about love for the arts."


Currently, Charlie maintains an ongoing multimedia series on Instagram. Her first series, "Soliloquy," produced 222 pieces over a year. Her new project, "Reflux," incorporates her piano compositions and improvisations. The. initial project began unexpectedly during spring cleaning in 2023, when she discovered old spray cans from a 2021 project. Instead of discarding them, she embraced these materials as vessels of memory and potential.


While Charlie produces and shares content online, she distances herself from the "content creator" label. "It feels limiting, as if the sole purpose is to produce something for others to consume. What I'm doing isn't about that. It's about finding ways to connect — with myself, with others, with a moment in time."


Her relationship with Berlin reflects similar complexities. "Berlin is an incredible place because you really can do whatever you want," she says with a smile. "When it comes to creativity, Berlin offers you this unique space to explore and express yourself. But it's a place where you can either thrive or get lost. It's a city of extremes." Finding her community transformed her experience: "In Berlin, you really have to find your crowd. Once you do, it's such a great experience. [...]"


To those struggling with Berlin's solitude, Charlie offers hard-earned wisdom: "There's no way around it—you have to go out and engage with the city. If you're stuck with yourself, go outside. See things that have nothing to do with you. For me, going to the theatre was life-changing. The arts offer this unique space to connect and feel. But it's not easy. You have to make yourself uncomfortable in the right way. It doesn't magically make everything better, but it opens you up to new perspectives and experiences."


Charlie's story reminds us why Berlin's soul is so deeply intertwined with its art scene. From helping people process their feelings to building bridges between cultures, art isn't just about entertainment—it's about connection, healing, and community. As the city faces decisions about cultural funding, these stories show us what we stand to lose: not just exhibitions or performances, but spaces where people find themselves, each other, and their place in Berlin."


Many thanks to Isabelle and Lua for their initiative and dedication in creating Späti Stories, hence agreeing to this interview being published on www.charlie-casanova.com, alongside such beautiful pictures.


• Represented by •
Management Goldschmidt | Renate Landkammer
Damaschkestraße 33, 10711 Berlin
info@managementgoldschmidt.de
+49 30 323 629 4

 

© Charlie Casanova 2024

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