Interview with Pharrell Williams Art 40 Basel 2009

[DonEdHardyDesign]

is it me or does she say ummm too much... Say the damn sentence ladie!

[mrlnrnn1]

@DonEdHardyDesign i guess she inspired the authors of 'how i met your mother' to come up with the robin 'but am'-drinking game

[manwithouthat44]

did it just seem that way, or was the woman very rude. She seemed very uninterested and arrogant. She didnt even really listen to him it seems.

[concretethemc]

This bitch didn't listen to anything he said, and did not know who he was until her network told her to interview him. She's also fucking retarded.

[musicmaj18]

I don't get why this is so confusing to people. This man is a muli-millionaire and is saying that these items that ANYONE can afford are precious to him. It's clear that the guy loves life - HE'S TALKING ABOUT CUPCAKES. You can't see the beauty in that? The items in the sculpture are things that we take for granted & the jewels help to illustrate this point by giving us a different perspective. Stop looking at what you see and think about what it means.

[MultiRipper88]

pharell is strange ... why isn't he happy at the interview ... he's so emotionless :0

[TheStfu1000]

@MultiRipper88 no he just seems thoughtful talking about his art.

[YUZO2kxx]

because its fun

[cocoabutter146]

I'm sorry but I feel kind of embarassed for him, he seems to be really un sure of what he is saying, and I think he has kind of cheapened art by including a condom, and pepsi and covered it in diamonds. It makes it look tacky, you see this kind of stuff in the tate modern (london gallery) and I think people try to justify turning it into art, by just making a meaning up for it

[DazOr95]

stupid white bitch tried talkin bout bling nd my dawg pharrell put her in her place

[cocoabutter146]

If he wasn't a celebrity, none of this would have been on show... its only because he has the money to afford diamonds to stick on those things and call it a work of art...

[SirDoogie1]

I love P. Willie and Takashi but really? there's no way you can explain putting gold and diamonds on everyday objects is cool or artistic, they really went out on a limb here and just tarnished there reputations.. . . really disappointing to watch

[balkandepot]

This is a huge piece if cack. This person is SIMPLE and offends inteligence as well as most of Murakami's output. He loves cupcakes??? There was nothing there valid or relevant for Vernisage to cover it. Distinction between lotion and oil, but pink. These characters need to be lifted out of their safe stupidity and dropped somewhere like Mogadsihu or some other real place. Both of them, out of depth.

[pimpnastyfunk420]

@brunooelias remember god comes from humans, he was our idea

[Coxor629]

i appreciate art of all kinds. but this is plain stupid. idiotic american consumerism. "these products are so essential".. please.

[kiloisalb]

@Coxor629

This here is an example of quoting out of context. Much like how most of the media you read is printed. He said those products were essential to him, "the glue to his personality". He's not saying they're essential in general.

[mutchie1493]

the interview seems to have no clue how big Pharrell is and how intellectual what he is saying really is.

[omd0]

interviewer is painfully bad .....

[brunooelias]

You know, I found part of this interview a little always. For example, if I was a journalist I wouldnt ask " how much " the pieces are sold and, pharell knows a lot which is a huge thing! Remember, knowledge comes from God, not humans.

[Nomez77]

Behind every word that Pharrell speaks is wisdom, if you can't understand his true meanings, than you have missed out, True dreamers that actually live their dreams/fantasies/beliefs are the only ones who truly are free, and usually have beautiful souls ....rare but exquizard when found Pharrell you are 1 of the few....

[SirDoogie1]

@Nomez77 tell me how a bedazzled pepsi can and bottle of lotion is "true wisdom", and sure hes living his dream but its a little lame and definitely poorly executed

[redmann47]

Press like if I am not the only one who distinguishes a specific look whenever he tries to look smart

[fillupmiportion]

A lot of people need to see things covered in diamonds to see how essential they are in their lives? Yea, maybe you do Pharrell, in your stupid superficial diamond-encristed brain. Nice John Wayne hat, you bell end.

[leojbx]

amazing piece of work. This interview saddens me, Pharrell seems have a weird consumerist/ superiority complex. 

[Lincitasss]

♥.♥

in love!

[DrizzyTV1]

We Live Out Our Imaginations Without Age - Pharrell Williams

[numberexex]

she was kind of feeling him at the end...

[cazaleah2]

wtf -- if ya dint hav all the diamonds ya do maybe ya'd feel a wee bit different about the cup cakes - fair enough if ya talkin to all the rich people in thr world but its a teeny bit different 4 those of us who struggle every week to feed us kids n pay the bills!!

[Fackelman10390]

i love his work!!! you gotta check out KIDNCLAYTV! this guy makes hip hop scultpures...AMAZING ART! 1 of a kind..he's even done a piece for Kanye. he's got a new wild style about his art....it is incredible....everyone u must see it to believe it! KIDNCLAYTV

[bantubiko]

Humbled guy

[bpophantom]

I understand the meaning behind everything he mentioned but the things he chose to put in their the tennis shoes is already seen as materialistic, doritos, pepsi, cupcakes, johnson & johnson and a CONDOM. Maybe he should've chose something else but the condom and sneakers really got me that's very odd I know he's very fun and expressive with fashion and art and I know he lives that life but it's kind of borderline being materialistic.

[kathyluvsvy]

@bpophantom if im not mistaken the shoe is a baby's shoe. pharrelly alledgely has a child by some model that he dated a couple of years ago. if these are the items that are most precious to him and its a child shoe then that would make sense because a child would naturally be precious to him. a condom could stand for him having a child with some chick accidentaly and how that could haven been prevented with the condom. these are just speculations.

[hamzamans]

i like pharell but this things r stupid man u need to know where ure money goes!!

[GurlCaa]

PHARELL LOOKS LIKE 17!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hes PETER FUCKIN PAN!!

Love  U Pharell...dont age ever!!!

[mongobongoman]

Ironically, the interviewer is completely focused on the material aspects of the art.

[Spiceman333]

FUCK! So many diamonds and shit!

[DolceGiirl]

Oh, Pharrell Y se gene pas hein ;)

Y Look bien les eins de la fille a la fin :P

[farfromaveragegenius]

So then how can he justifie charge $90.00 for a t-shirt then?

if he states that wealth is of the heart and mind and that he cannot take jewlery and the luxeries of life with him when he dies...

[baybiewillz]

I love Pharrell and all,

BUT WTF IS HE WEARING!?!

LOOOOOLLLLLLL.

[bapestaicecream]

billionaire boys club, the brand made by him and what you can see may be $400

[pgrbeast2]

I like how it glorifies the items we take for granted and it makes you take a second look at the simple items in life and how a cluster of simplicity can create complexity.

[SexyHouseLab]

" its funny "

[pjladd411]

He said in a interview hes never smoked weed in his life same with 50 cent

[nerdbaykid]

This man is amazing and if your think otherwise then thats your loss.

[ThePoison9]

i think thats clevor as hell

[skateXboarder]

dont get it

[ameve]

Why thumb this person down?

Just explain if you understand it so much better.

[LeahTVdotcom]

aloha Pharrell Willians,

love u,

4 keeping it real and forward.

I knew there was something deep about you.

now its coming ,,,,,

Leah from Maui

[M450N23]

hes a cool guy, but i dont know about the pepsi... just seems like a clever advert... + he should stop bitin off of kool keith!

[dkong28]

this is currently on show at the tate modern.... seriously, its awesome seeing it in person.

[shecanfeel]

i mean i like pharrell, but this is the dumbest use of precious stones for the dumbest sculpture

[applesauceprincess]

i know right lol

[thatwunguy05]

@shecanfeel then you didn't learn the meaning behind this whole video. the fact that he used the diamonds for something "dumb" clearly shows that material wealth means nothing to him. this should make you like him even more because non-materialistic people like him keep the world at peace. he's one of the few people that are constantly reminding us "hustle-and-bustlers" about the little things in life and to stop worrying so much.

[spunkyspam]

The aesthestic and functional values of an object that appears to provoke his taste and sensations are far more important than the quantitative value of it. don't forget the expensive additional dob of bloody diamonds as ornaments.

That's the same with everyday objects?

A familiar modern twist, it'd be interesting if it was addressing to the spirit of time.

[ameve]

I doubt those are real diamonds though.

If they are, He and Takashi made some serious loss if they really sold it for 2.000.000

[blazeraid1]

it sold for 2 Million wow :D

[YataBabee70]

Diamonds,Doritos, Cupcakes, Make sure you have the Condom and wash it all down with a Pepsi get freshed up with the Baby Lotion and get those Endorphins working. I feel you Mr Williams.

[nerdbillionaire]

yeah a condom dummy isnt it really important in today's society? dummy

[CeonBroughton]

pharrell hates interviews..and i can see why

[applesauceprincess]

um a condom WTF? whats the point of a blinged out condom

[ThelmaHarperr]

Yea. strange

[EvanWells1]

But the simple things in life are hard to enjoy when you're a slave mining for the diamonds that ended up in this piece. Furthermore, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Andy Warhol within top 2 pages of comments here. Pharrell should have had this conversation with the artist, and they both should have realized: "yes, this, indeed, has already been done/ is covered ground in the modern art realm." The "irony" and "twist" was already there when the manufactured was incorporated into art.

[babushkar]

what a load of bullshit!

[YoChrisStar]

He Said Bling???

No I Wear Diamonds

The Lady Was Probably Like Umm What The Hell!

She Thinks All Black Celebs Wear Bling Bling

Its Called Diamonds!

[zeanian]

hahahahahaha.

[3:18] What's the big deal?

[panhumbly]

Eloquence is said to be no substitude for the truth. Just listen to him , appreciate the creativity and the reason behind it and just stop hatin. LOve u Pharell u re da best out there

[kschoeck]

Ok you bejewled some pepsi. I dont get why this inspired u so much Pharrell but I still love u.

[mscherriesxox]

he's sooo intelligent!

[VitorVitoriaBaia]

"the little things...there's nothing bigger, is there?",,,way to go P!

[ucfpureego]

$2,000,000 WOW

[crambearyyy]

Personally, I enjoyed this interview. I met Pharrell in May this year and he has such grace and a really positive aura.

I most enjoy when he talks about the fact that all the jewels/money wont go with him in passing. He's eloquent, a sharp dresser, really brilliant. I don't get the hate...

[tharemedybeats]

I really think pharell is messing with all of us.

[angela1894]

Really ? How so ?

[kieroda]

"it's funny"

[Lanadya]

both artist's are great!!pharrell is too hot

[pearwil]

"I'm not a rapper." -Pharrell Williams

[dosemi1999]

I guess my view is: apart from the art, is that these are huge names in the mouth of the alien. This is a great form of advertising and being that those name brand companies own mosy of the money in the world this project must have been very profitable indeed.

[GirlnamedBobby]

goddayum.

[documonster]

such prattle. pharrell will pump anything out for a buck, i am more embarrassed for murakami who is truly brilliant.

[ponchoso]

Yeah, I saw the piece and its great but Murakami should be talking about it, I mean I really like Pharrell's productions, but this interview almost took away the brilliance of the piece.

...respect for your... uhh journalism and this uhh publishing.....

[angela1894]

You're right, ponchoso, pharrell is not the most articulate guy out there. Not many blacks are articulate, I guess it's genetic.

[NeonAestuo]

Ever heard of nuture

[alochoa05]

Your such a retard your 31 years old and dont know shit about what your're talking about. Pharrell is way more successful than you will ever be. Your probably mad beacuse you are fat and ugly and no one likes you. Dont make comments any more no one wants to hear your dumbass remarks. Stupid fat bitch.

[soso101]

loool.

[QuarFF]

peoplez. don't hate, the man has skillz and made it big using his skills. I love the idea, I would probably have done it if i had the $ to do it. Its awesome, so stop thinking that your all art critics... at least have a degree.

[cooLfobKID]

Cut him some slack. Art is the vision of the artist, and this is what they envision. Personally i love it

[vampiroatomico]

I really don't like the concept of Pharell's and Murakami's piece. While trying to elevate normal everyday items to the realm of art sounds like a decent idea, I hate the fact that there is a multimillion dollar product (pepsi) being glorified in diamonds. It really kills the concept for me.

[eze4700]

But Pharrell just said he made it in diamonds and stones so that people can understand the value of it in his life, and the Pepsi and stuff are only being glorified by those who dont get the message that he is trying to convey

[tomacouli3]

Everything is art. But, the conceptual things define what is art and this is conceptual so, this is art.

[OpticalFascism]

You pro-Pharrells believe the bullshit he's saying? Art is about fooling others and make them believe it has a meaning, so it sells for a high price. Art is capitalism.

This snotty snob is getting richer and richer, because you tools are so blind and throw out money for his clothes, music and everything else he collaborates with.

I want to know who really did all the work for this piece. Who are the people who actually molded and built together this "thing"? Some working-class poors probably.

[jgmiksi]

Life is so simple and we love making it complicated!

I really like how he portrays everyday life and puts it inside the sculpture, just like the sculpture is a showcase of life.

[DarriusHawkins]

i know wat Baxterstockman0332 is talking about but wat you said is just ignorance. pharrel is just saying that we as human take stuff for granted sometimes. if you heard him say " the simple things" you would get a better look on wat he is saying. im 17 years old and i get wat he is saying. so you can just shut the hell up with that comment

[GLBTQcommunity]

Is this a scene from a Borat film?

[MusicalAgenda]

r u stupid?

[milomel1]

just because you don't understand something don't call it weird that's just ignorant!

Pharrell is an inspiring and great man not everyone gets him but some people have very limited thinking.

'I'm not a rapper'

'bling I don't not wear'

we live out our imaginations without age

PHARRELL SPEAKS THE TRUTH!

[godswiph]

... but he sounds somewhat confused and contradictory. i gotta point that out.

[SirStrawHat]

Do you think he is polluting our minds? Or is he inspiring?

[ponchoso]

Neither, he's definitively not inspiring anyone in this interview. His ideas are good but very rough still. Nice collaboration BUT, leave the art talk to Murakami pleeaase.

[VitorVitoriaBaia]

he is inspiring me...just for the fact that he did this, HE DID IT...a rap/r&b and now pop producer like him, did this...and he isn't talking like other people like: "i do big thingsss, i got the money"....everything he touches, is art. And he is talking about the concept of this thing, and his vision as a musician, nothing more.

[raneanubis]

nah luv, he and takashi murakami did this, takashi is an actual sculptor and artist, he also designed the colourful monogram on the louis vuitton bags. hes amazing.

[jordansarekewl]

lmao at how pharell is talking

like a renaissance man hahahha

[Baxterstockman0332]

wtf is this dude talkin bout?? instead of spendin 26 grand on a cupcake, why don't you go fund some economically depressed kids college education. Quit tryin to sound intellectual and stuff. U charge $500 for a bbc t shirt, stop "frontin" P. This guy is the classic example of someone who has too much and doesn't give enuff. And don't tell me that I don't know what he does with his money, I don't. But if he was involved, then maybe he should do a video about that and inspire others to do it.

[RationalEmotive]

Aesthetics are not subject to ethical judgments per se. There is the true, the beautiful and the good. Broadly speaking science deals with truth, art deals with beauty and ethics deal with goodness. The system of professional art, since the the beginning of the modern era, again roughly speaking, is a game for rich fucks since someone has to pay for the living of people who live of their art.

I am not advocating tolerance of intolerance but if you don't do harm this is enough sometimes.

[MusicalAgenda]

u dont like it? ghet rich then give back. who says he doesnt? it may not be on a video u dont know wtf pharrell does with all that shit. plus BBC isnt for min wage mutha fuckas like urself hence the name BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB

[mkman7432]

I like the Run look he has goin' on there. :)

Nice interview.

[freshramses]

Pharrell is the modern John Lennon (For me)

[KraziChiq08]

i agree

[Sano213]

2 Milli good job....nice art

[Jebediah13]

i love her voice for some reason

[kali999L]

murakami must die.

[eLkO187]

Why you say that?

[RogerMoron]

What you mean is he must be killed.

[dlacc187]

wierdo

[KraziChiq08]

fool