Gay Games Interview: German artist Gerda Laufenberg

By Ley on Thursday, August 12, 2010 - 17:14

For those of you who haven't come across the German artist Gerda Laufenberg, let's just say she is one very talented lady who shows Cologne as she sees it in her drawings, but in a friendly way.

While promoting her commissioned cup for the Gay Games Cologne, I caught a quick interview with her to ask her about her experience of the Gay Games so far.

eurOut: Can you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little about your work?

Gerda Laufenberg: My name is Gerda Laufenberg and I've been in Cologne for 50 years. I live for my artist studio, painting, and exhibitions. I am known for my illustrations of Cologne, and have designed a cup for Cologne in my style, part of Köln ist Kult [Cologne is Cult]. I have a critical, but friendly style of showing Cologne in art.

What have you been doing at the Gay Games?

I participated in the Opening Ceremony as I am doing the road races: 5 and 10 km, but I think one of them I am not going to do as it is on the same time as the ballroom dancing, and I think I want to go and see that.

Is there anything you are looking forward to during your time here?

The [Triumph & Temptations] party on Friday! The participation of international women makes the atmosphere better than normal parties in Cologne, with a mix of different races and cultures. My friend Annie is doing the sailing in Roermond, so I want to see how she has finished.

What was your experience of the Women Place and what do you think about it?

It was loud, and it was difficult to get the DJs to make it a little less loud. I think also that it could have been a better idea if all of Neumarkt was under cover as it is for the December market, so that if it rains you can still see the stalls.

How have you been spending your summer, and what are your plans for after the Gay Games?

I will be canoeing in a park in Eastern Germany. There's many lakes that cover the whole region, and I'm really looking forward to it. After that I will be spending one month in Venice. I've hired an apartment for inspiration to write a commentary of Venice to accompany drawings that I will be doing of the city.

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Read some of our other Gay Games interviews and portraits: German author Brigitte Bialojahn, Croatian women choir Le Zbor, Dutch track athlete Martje Hoekmeijer.