120108

In the exhibition 12 08 01, Galerie Thomas Crämer presents new works by Malte Brants.

The artist invites visitors to become part of the artwork in 12 08 01 by forcing them into a narrow space between the pieces, allowing them to engage directly in the discourse. With each step taken in the gallery, visitors become increasingly immersed in the intricate web of delicate lines and reality, making them more aware of their own perspective. Scenes emerge to the left and right, reminiscent of those seen in daily news — the blankly smiling faces at the G8 summit, which, through Malte Brants' technique, are fragmented into neutral pieces, appearing almost grotesque, or the raging crowd of demonstrators held back by the police. While much of this evokes current reporting during the European discourse, he deliberately avoids taking a side, allowing visitors to step into the void between demonstrators and the political elite and grapple with their own position. Within a space measuring two by two seventy by five meters, the viewer is confronted on the right with the furious masses of dissatisfied and desperate rebels, and when they turn left in search of help, they face the closed group of political leaders of our time. Arranged like a class photo, they stand side by side, seemingly distinguishable only by their height.

In addition to the opening on August 24, 2012, Galerie Thomas Crämer invites guests to a reception with the artist on September 2 starting at 2 PM.