Cristina Ruiz de Castañeda Fleischmann

Two heartbeats on one engine

Heimplatz, Zürich

2023

Acrylic on canvas

50x40cm

“Contrary to the many hours I have been working on this painting, it originated out of a complete impulse. And so, it was Saturday night and I had just left an exhibition to grab the next tram at Kunsthaus in Zurich. I was listening to Ghostkeeper (by Klangkarruselll and GIVVEN), when the sound of a bike engine overrid the beats of the song. As I turned towards the street, I first spotted the fuchsia sandals with heels wrapped around a white sock over the feet of a woman holding herself to the driver of a beautiful motorbike. The beats of the song, the two heartbeats (of love) and the sound of the fired-up engine seemed to merge into one single frequency as the light turned green and they roared away into the night.

And this is how these two strangers turned a seemingly mundane street scene into a moment of inspiration and ended up on my canvas. Thank you, dear strangers with helmets!”

Cristina Ruiz de Castañeda, 13.9.2023