Katrin Bittl – That's how she rolls

What makes you laugh?

Katrin Bittl: Absurd reactions to my art often cause great laughter. For example, an elderly lady once said that I would blight art history!

What have you always been wanting to do and why have you never done this so far?

Katrin Bittl: Sketch comedy – too often there were funny moments in everyday situations with strangers, passers-by or for example at the supermarket checkout. Fear of contact and misconceptions about people with disabilities sometimes inevitably lead to comedy.

Which person has influenced you most? And why?

Katrin Bittl: My artist friend Eugen Kellermeier has inspired me and my artistic work. I thank him very much for his advice and wisdom, his big heart!

You have the chance to become the Commissioner for the Disabled. What would you do first?

Katrin Bittl: Out of megalomania I would rename my office and stand up for less normality and more humanity.

What is especially near and dear to you?

Katrin Bittl: I think that we should finally stop defining ourselves as disabled or non-disabled. Let's orientate ourselves by our various abilities – there is an immense potential in this.

I would like to be ...

Katrin Bittl: Everything that I wish for, I will have achieved one day. Until then I would like to be relaxed!

Which question would you like to be answered the most?

Katrin Bittl: Why is our society so advanced and yet so lazy? Utopia is so close and yet so far away.

What I still wanted to say...

Katrin Bittl: One is only as "disabled" as one feels – sounds strange, because most barriers come from the so-called outside. However, disability begins in the minds of people. In most cases we speak of the "others", the non-disabled. All too often, however, it is precisely there that we first have to work on ourselves. Our own attitude is the mirror for others.