I went to see the Wolfgang Tillmans show at Hamburger Bahnhof.
The video of peas boiling was fascinating, inspiring. A mundane act translated to the screen rich with texture, color and movement. The work in the show is so varied - compiled text messages, photo prints taped to the wall with scotch tape, large scale abstract color photos hung from clips, photos of newspaper clippings, short videos of colorful everyday processes - it's clear that Tillmans lives a full life with his eyes open. Although he takes his artwork seriously, his creative process flows organically and playfully from what he observes.
I also enjoyed the Alicja Kwade sound installation - several speakers at head height, arranged in a circle, playing a collage of clips from The Wizard of Oz and other children's classic films, all women's voices saying things like "It's beautiful", "Oh my god!" and sighing. Cutsie innocence becomes sexual. Her other work reminded me of Thomas Demand's Gold Standard exhibit at PS1 in 2006. Both present non-precious objects as valuable. Stacks of coal bricks wrapped in gold foil aren't particulary thought provoking or visually interesting.
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1 comment:
peas boiling in a pot? jeez, your right about the mundane nature of the subject matter. that's probably the kind of subject matter the big M should have adorned the Cistene Chapel with. "Look at that ceiling Gladys," said Joe, awestruck, to his wife, "look at all them peas!"
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