nature morte

Until the end of the year, kunstraum t27 will present six exhibitions that explore the significance of genres in contemporary art.

Since the Renaissance, painting has been classified into different genres. These classifications have defined the working fields for generations of artists while establishing a hierarchy within artistic creation that remained valid for a long time. Works in genres such as still life and portraiture were often regarded as more craft-oriented, while history painting was held in the highest esteem.

In the coming months, still life, animal studies, portrait, landscape, genre scenes, and history painting will serve as the frameworks for contemporary artists to interrogate these genres at kunstraum t27.

What significance do genres hold for today’s art production and the self-understanding of artists? What media and artistic techniques are currently being employed outside of traditional painting to address these thematic fields? What contemporary references can be found within the established art historical context?

In addition to exhibitions featuring contemporary visual art across various genres, kunstraum t27 will offer art historical lectures on genre history, as well as discussions with artists and curators. There will also be projection evenings (featuring film, video, slide projections, etc.) that will thematically engage with the genre topics.

The first exhibition in this series is titled “nature morte” and focuses on still life. Three artists approach the depiction, presentation, and interpretation of everyday objects from different perspectives.

Ulrike Dornis presents paintings that approach the theme in a rather classical manner. In her series “Arabesque,” she processes views of an ornately patterned oriental fabric. Through various light variations, the ever-changing color effects are captured and transformed into an almost abstract design.

Mariel Gottwick works on the theme of visualization, incorporating the element of visual deception (trompe l’oeil). In a series of “meat pieces,” she explores photographic and three-dimensional representations, along with the moment of irritation.

Peter Hock is a draftsman who uses abstract or naturalistic elements in large-format charcoal works. For the exhibition nature morte, he draws on motifs from everyday culture: in an archaic aesthetic, the skeleton of a grilled chicken becomes a visual sensation.

nature morte

Ulrike Dornis – Mariel Gottwick – Peter Hock

July 24 to August 15, 2010

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 3-7 PM

Friday, July 23, 2010, 7:30 PM Opening reception