“First of all, spinning around uninhibitedly. I appreciate the lack of any restrictions.”
Interview with kite designer Susanne Kracht.
How did you get into kites?
I am from Hamburg. I worked there at the kite company Wolkenstürmer and caught fire at my very first kite festival. I was really overwhelmed by the colors, sizes and possibilities, and the kites really inspired me back then. There wasn't a single animal that I couldn't see in the sky in my mind's eye, preferably in dozens or as a swarm. Just imagine: thousands of octopuses!
In the meantime, I've had the opportunity to design various motifs for kites, including the children's kites from Spiderkites.
Currently you have designed an Eddy for Spiderkites, what did you come up with?
I'm fascinated by birds of prey and owls, especially since one flew past me here at dusk! It was impressive and scary at the same time, because you actually can't hear anything. Then there was an exhibition I took part in with the theme “white”. I immediately knew what I wanted to paint. In addition to a snow leopard, I created a snowy owl. Which is now the motif for the Eddy.
What else do you do?
Apart from painting, I illustrate books. In my spare time, I try to get to grips with the universe of our garden. But it still always looks like the Big Bang - with scattered bits of vegetables. I like running (at least that's what I call it...). In the beautiful Allgäu countryside, however, I always get lost somewhere in the fields, meadows or woods, for example when trying to identify mushrooms. So much for sports.
What do you particularly appreciate about your creative work?
Clearly the lack of any restrictions. First of all, spinning around uninhibitedly, brain yoga so to speak. Most of the ideas then become obsolete by itself, but sometimes they actually work out well.
