Some of Hopper's paintings have become icons of 20th century art. This is perhaps one of the greatest honours that can be conferred upon an artist, but the omnipresence of his work in the form of posters and coffee mugs also makes it difficult to approach the original paintings with an open mind.

Why go to a photography exhibition when you can also view the photos in a book, a magazine or on your screen?

It's been awhile since I spent half a day at an exhibition of contemporary art without feeling exhausted and wishing I could stay longer. At 13,000 square meters the Friedrich Christian Flick collection at the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin is about as large as the Documenta in Kassel.

Tell me, what is so interesting about those bloody boxes?

Rubbing it in is what Paul McCarthy does, whether with paint, ketchup or chocolate sauce. Excess is the name of his game. McCarthy likes pushing things too far, in his drawings, but most of all in his performances, which always end up a complete mess.