Düsseldorf
Irene Andessner + Ingolf Timpner
‘Collaborations’
19 January – 31 March 2012
Utilising the traditional photography style of portraiture, photo-media artists Irene Andessner (Vienna) and Ingolf Timpner (Düsseldorf) have collaborated to produce an exhibition that explores temporal jumps and distance from the past. Central to the exhibition are a series of self-portraits that pay homage to self-portraits by Albrecht Durer from 1500, and a series of black and white baryta-paper photographs referencing portraits by Egon Schiele. By using role-play, the Polaroid and through crossing periods in time, the artists search and expose the delicate internal human condition.
Particularly interesting was the ‘newest form of the polaroid’ (as explained by the gallery director). In a large-scale format with sepia tones, these images were printed instantly when captured with what seemed like highly viscose ink, giving the work a painterly quality.
A curious exhibition for photography and portraiture fans alike.
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| Installation view (detail) of the exhibition "Irene Andessner + Ingolf Timpner. Collaborations" Foto and Copyright: Dirk Rose / IKS-Medienarchiv 2012 courtesy Galerie Bugdahn und Kaimer |
Katja Eckert, Freya Hattenberger, Sven Johne, Alicja Kwade, Cathleen Schuster, Sibylle Springer and Eva Teppe
‘Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Stipendium’
4 February – 9 April 2012
The biennial Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Stipendium exhibition held at the Kunsthalle Dusseldorf is a showcase of fresh and important young artists working today. This year’s selection of artists (stipend holders from 2008–2010) displayed a wide array of subject matter and mediums. The selection of works was contemplative, engaging and moving.
‘Third Hand Smoke’ by Katja Ekert’s is a playful video that features a swarm of tiny flies buzzing over several still images of a hand in action. The contrast of the still-hand and franticly moving flies brings forth a sense of physical uncomfortableness contrasted with humour.
Freya Hattenberger’s photographic diptych ‘Facing the World’ features almost identical self-portraits hanging side-by-side, with the subject’s eyes open in one and closed in the other. Questioning the artist’s presence in the artwork and, furthermore, in contemporary society, this work really leaves the viewer questioning.
Continuing on the investigation into social awareness were the intriguing quasi-archival photographs of Sven Johne entitled ‘Winter Archive’. Numerous small-scale photographs telling the story of northern-European winters over many years hang in a giant grid. Some beautiful and light, some alarming and shady, each photograph was taken in a different year and with a completely different subject matter.
Don’t be in a hurry with this exhibition; the sensitive and lyrical works deserve time.
Köln
Kathrin Ahlt
‘Rusken’
28 January – March 30 2012
Beautiful, eerie, mysterious and romantic, this photographic exhibition by Kathrin Ahlt is a real showstopper. Highly saturated images of street and landscapes were taken at night with a soft-focus effect creating a film-noir feel. Large portions of darkness are lit by romantic street lamps and blurred headlights in the distance. Never a figure in sight but with shadows lurking, these photographs explore the familiar and the unfamiliar, memory and timelessness. This series was shot in Sweden and Moscow, the vast landscapes and alpine peaks alongside empty residential streets create a strong sense of place.
An enchanting exhibition recommended for all.
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| Kathrin Ahlt, »Mahr OgPa«, 2012, 140 x 100 cm, C-Print hinter Acrylglas / c-print behind plexiglass, Auflage von / edition of 5 + 2 |
Koen van den Broek, Walter Dahn, Fränze Hoppe, Anne K.E., David Ostrowski, Yelena Popova, Ulrich Rückriem and Ignacio Uriate
‘Unterm Strich. Abstract Works on Paper’
3 March – April 4 2012
This group exhibition of works on paper brings together eight artists exploring the medium in differing ways. Particularly of interest was David Ostowski’s ‘H’ which blurs the lines between the representational and non-representational. The photographic portrait looks as if the artist has spray painted a block of white over the subject’s face. By blocking out three quarters of the photograph the artist has erased the identity, obscured the image and abstracted the reading of a traditional portrait. Ignacio Uriarte’s scrawls on paper are obsessively rendered scribbles that create a wonderfully minimalist work. These routine-driven drawings were originally born from the artist stating that the everyday act of scribbling onto a notepad during a telephone conversation, or ripping off a page from notebook, become works of art.
Always partial to a works on paper show – this exhibition won’t let you down.
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| Ignacio Uriarte 'Vier Monochrome' 2010 pencil on paper 42 x 29,7 cm each |
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