Bernhard is an American comedian, actress and singer. She will perform a reprise of her 1988 stand-up show “Without You I’m Nothing” at Manchester Opera House on 9 May in the Queer Up North Festival (http://www.queerupnorth.com)
- 1 Does art make a difference? When you’re an artist in the public eye you have the influence and access to inspire, enlighten and educate. Unfortunately, not many “artists” are prepared, and ultimately they pander to their audience.
- 2 Should politics and art mix? At certain junctures in culture they can’t help but mix, and we are certainly at one of those points. When the world is in such chaos and people are in pain, an artist cannot help but react. The level of indifference coming from the few in power should incite and ignite.
- 3 Is your work for the many or for the few? I think it’s for the many, but for the few on certain levels. And many on the other levels.
- 4 If you were world leader, what would be your first law? “Mind your own business”. At this point, there are very few, if any, real news outlets remaining. Everything is about celebrity and overexposure. Does anyone even know what most of these people do for a living? Why they are “famous”? It’s all too much.
- 5 Who would be your top advisers? Dita Von Teese and Demi Moore. Dita could shock while Demi awes. All the while, I’d actually be getting some positive and progressive things done.
- 6 What, if anything, would you censor? People’s stupidity, prejudice, intolerance and complacency. I’d also censor the lack of style and taste.
- 7 If you had to banish one public figure, who would it be? There are too many of them. I’d either have to pick a thousand people or no one.
- 8 What are the rules that you live by? Getting a lot of sleep; eating a very healthy, balanced organic diet. I do what I can to live as natural a lifestyle as possible.
- 9 Do you love your country? I love the physical country: the mountains, the rivers, the lakes, streams, lush grasslands. The people, however, are a bit dubious and their leadership is downright embarrassing.
- 10 Are we all doomed? Only a select few . . . and they know who they are.
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