terrain
Conni Brintzinger · Jens Hanke · Aline Helmcke Pia Linz · Markus Paetz
The landscape only established itself as a distinct genre in art history after a rather laborious development. Since the Renaissance, landscape motifs began to isolate themselves from the backgrounds of sacred or secular paintings, eventually being recognized as fully valid works of art, although they often merely aimed to depict geography and prominent landscape features. Mountains, a cloudy sky, or the sea could also serve as carriers of mood beyond mere topographical accuracy. By the time of Romanticism, landscape paintings took on special meanings. Aesthetic, emotional, and even national concepts became intertwined with the representation of landscapes.
In contemporary art, landscapes have often moved far beyond mere description. Real landscapes are transformed and reinterpreted through processes of perception. The exhibition Terrain at kunstraum t27 brings together five artistic positions to provide insight into the diversity of contemporary landscape representation.
Conni Brinzinger operates at the intersection of photography and printmaking. Her motifs often originate from untouched regions of the Black Forest and are transferred onto monumental wooden panels using screen printing. This change of medium creates an extraordinarily painterly effect that strikingly evokes the influences of Romanticism.
Jens Hanke presents works from his series Parkinsun. Here, highway landscapes are depicted in formal stylization, forming painted collages that allow for a simultaneous view. The representation goes far beyond a mere depiction of reality, with the road becoming a carrier of moods, possessing a disturbing potential.
Aline Helmcke works with panoramic formats. On unexposed 35mm film strips, landscapes are captured using a drawing pencil, simulating camera movements. In her wide-format drawings on paper, landscape structures condense into a fabric of lines, hatching, and notes.
Pia Linz approaches urban terrain on a more emotional level. Notations made on-site record the peculiarities of the topographical and architectural structure. Her drawings, reminiscent of mind maps and rich in aesthetic density, also incorporate her own thoughts, observations, and snippets of conversations overheard from passersby. This creates a landscape image that is intentionally multidimensional, extending far beyond mere seeing and depicting.
Markus Paetz works with sculptural means on the theme of landscape. His seascapes are representations of the ocean floor. The concrete blocks display the transfer of topographical details, accurately taken from contour lines on nautical charts. The ground sculptures gain a convincing spatial presence and formal abstraction.
Vernissage: Friday, September 17, 2010, 7:30 PM
Thursday, September 30, 7:30 PM
“Projections,” curated by Sabine Schöbel and Deborah Phillips
Wednesday, October 6, 7:30 PM
“Landscape,” art historical lecture by Dr. Martin Steffens
Sunday, October 10, 7:30 PM
Finissage with artist talk and drawing of the art lottery
Opening hours: Wed - Sun, 3 - 7 PM