NH: Jah, it's the place with the three X's: WHY do I exist? WHAT is this place? WHO is my maker? XIXAX is a place I sometimes call Planet Bearth. Because you are born, and then they try to condition you here; you try to figure out, what is behind, and beyond, and above and below.

When I was growing up in East Germay, everyone said there was no God. And I said "look at them, how bitter they are", and I thought that there might be a god. So I started looking for it myself.

[I asked the question because years ago I had heard that "XIXAX" referred to the pattern made by some pieces of wood supporting the barbed wire atop the Berlin Wall, where Nina was born. This sounded somewhat banal in light of the more profound spin she has currently put on the term, so I didn't mention it. - RL]

NYW: I saw the Peter Sempel film "Nina Hagen - Punk & Glory" at Anthology Film Archives in May 2002; is that being shown anywhere?

NH: Jah, that's being shown all over the place.

NYW: Your daughter Cosma Shiva was a baby last time we spoke, but in that film we got to see what a beautiful woman she's turned out to be.

NH: Jah, she's right now filming a movie for the cinema in Germany, with Klaus Kinski's young son. Klaus is not on the planet any more. My daughter Cosma is a very popular actress in Germany. She also organizes these wonderful open-air parties. She has a wonderful teacher, she's very smart, and she has web sites at www.galaxinaonline.com [for the Bambuzina SoundSyrup festival] and www.cosma-shiva-hagen.com. And I sometimes perform at her festivals.

NYW: Do her films ever come to New York, or are they only German films?

NH: Only German, but now she is doing something in French, and she will soon come to the United States.

NYW: I'm sure America wants to see her.

I know you don't want to discuss future projects, but you did mention an album?

NH: Jah, I'm working on a new album.

NYW: I loved that song you did called "The Return of the Mother" - is this from a recent album?

NH: Yes, that is my last album, "The Return of the Mother" [2000]. I love that album.

I now have my own TV show, which has been for one year in front of a Berlin audience, in a place called the Luftschloss ["Air Palace"]. But now I am having talks with a major German TV station, and I'm looking forward to having bits and pieces from all over the world, from New York. from L. A., included in my TV show. I meet many people, I talk with them, like a TV show host. I show what's going on with Greenpeace, interesing political things, I have artists, musicians and bands.

NYW: Would you like to have your guru on your show?

NH: I don't have to have my guru on my show because my guru is in my heart. My guru is one with me. And he doesn't talk too much, you know, he speaks through his being. You know, actually, maybe I will do an interview with my guru. You know, when he speaks, when he says something, it is SO-O-O beautiful and profound!

NYW: Good night.

NH: On namah shivay...