Cynthia von Buhler

Countdown with ...

Cynthia von Buhler

Cynthia von Buhler is an American artist, author, and animal activist. In her career, she has written and illustrated books for children and adults; created, produced, and directed multi-year theatrical productions; exhibited her art in galleries around the world; made street art installations; staged and promoted outrageous parties; fronted rock bands live and on recordings; managed a record label; appeared on television shows, radio interviews, and podcasts. She currently travels the world creating reportage art journals about animal activism. When she isn’t travelling, von Buhler lives in a German-style storybook tower deep in the forest on a lake (with pigs, chickens, pigeons, cats, a rabbit and a dog) and when she craves human interaction she lives in a former button factory loft in the centre of Manhattan.

Interviewed 30 September 2022

Ten words to sum up your working life to date ...

Like a curious cat I’ve gotten into everything — and survived. 

Nine things you can see from where you're sitting ...

A roaring fire, two cats, an antique mantle clock, a whole pear trapped in a liquor bottle forever, an upright piano, an automaton bird in a cage, a Chinese full head pig mask, and a Victrola. 

Eight minutes to prepare a meal. What's it going to be ?

Canned soup with oyster crackers. 

Seven people you'd like to go for a drink with ...

Jesus, Leonardo Da Vinci, Harry Houdini, Nikola Tesla, Jane Goodall, Michael Pitt, and you.

Six things you can't live without ...

Non-human animals, Russell, baths, coffee, Prozac, and my beautiful country house. 

Five favourite words ...

Archipelago, whatnot, piglet, whilst, and Antarctica. 

Four places you'd run away to ...

Antarctica, Chinchon, Vieques, and Haiku. 

Three books you've bought recently ...

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Call of Cthulhu and Other Stories by H. P. Lovecraft
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty

Two things that make you rant ...

Dumb humans who have Dunning-Kruger syndrome and cold houses. 

One thing you'd tell your teenage self ...

Life goes so quickly, it will be over before you know it. You will be dead forever, so you might as well try to make the best of it.