Transformation and Materiality

Transformation and Materiality

8 September – 29 October 2023

 

This exhibition brings together two influential artists, Michal Martychowiec and Joseph Beuys, who, though separated by generation and artistic context, share a profound interest in materiality and its potential to create meaning. While Beuys imbued everyday objects with symbolic power, Martychowiec constructs a unique symbolic language through a mixed-media practice that reinterprets historical narratives. Through this thought-provoking dialogue, viewers are invited to explore the transformative power of art and its ability to reshape our understanding of the past and present.

Joseph Beuys, a central figure in post-war European art, is known for his use of unconventional materials like felt, fat, and honey. He imbued these materials with symbolic meaning, transforming them into potent tools for exploring themes of social and political transformation. His sculptures and installations often evoke ideas of healing, renewal, and the potential for social change.

Michal Martychowiec, a contemporary German artist, employs a mixed-media practice to create a symbolic language that recontextualizes the Romantic tradition and contemporary human condition. He does not focus solely on meticulous craftsmanship, but rather on the potent meaning embedded within his chosen materials and recurring symbols. These symbols, including the panda, the rabbit named Josephine, and broken glass or glass crystals, act as a key to unlocking the deeper political and social messages embedded within his works.