The Hidden Space Astrid Busch, Anne Gathmann, Marcel Prüfert, Alexandra Schumacher, Julia Staszak
5 November – 3 December 2010 Private View Thursday 4 November 6.30–8.30pm
The Hidden Space is the result of an ongoing exchange of ideas and exhibitions between Standpoint Gallery and Stedefreund, an artist-run project space in the centre of Berlin. The theme of “hidden space” originates in the architectural peculiarities of the exhibition space; in a broader sense it is understood metaphorically by Stedefreund as an unknown and undefined area, a blank space. That which cannot be seen, which is not shown, becomes in this way a projection screen. Projection, in psychology, refers to a transference of one’s own thoughts and feelings onto the outside world—thus it has the potential to establish a reality, overlaying and obscuring that which exists. Starting from this premise, the artists will address the theme of the hidden in ways that are both site-specific and abstract, narrative and political/utopian. Projective space is conceived here as architecture, in an exploration of how reality can be constructed via suggestion.
Astrid Busch’s photographs can be read as well-composed stills from a film whose plot remains withheld from us. In her videos the images take on moving shapes without satisfying hopes of causal or linear resolution. Her motifs enter into a dialogue with the real space, transforming it into fiction and creating new stories. Photography will become an intervention or an architectural part of the room. The ambiguous narratives are transported by using photo and video works as well as installed interventions.
Anne Gathmanns’ work ranges from minimalist site-specific installation to abstract painting. By means of simple, ephemeral materials such as light, glass, wood and paper she composes open-ended images and arrangements which make manifest an abstract train of thought. Key to her practice is bringing the background into the foreground, thus exposing the instability of reality. Her work gives substance (or an illusion of substance) to the unnameable and unseen, testing the pictorial at the point where external and mental realities intersect.
Marcel Prüfert’s work is based on the variety of his forms, or more precisely, the various media and types of presentation, from traditional hanging to space-related installations. His curatorial approach to selection of materials is evident in the way the works gesture beyond themselves and interact with each other. Our attention is re-directed from the individual works to the relationships between them.
Alexandra Schumacher’s objects and installationsdeal with the conceptualization and construction of space. She juxtaposes these with photographs documenting intermediate states in her studio, thereby foregrounding the process of artistic production and its relation to a ‘final state’. Her three-dimensional arrangements frequently investigate the abstract mechanisms of everyday life, their operations and consequences, in a spirit of playful approximation.
Julia Staszak stretches the traditional definitions of painting by combining conceptual art, sculpture, painting and curating in often large scale installations. Drawing freely from a broad range of sources – the work of other artists, popular and vernacular culture, fashion and literature – her work explores different cultural expressions in an open, fluid approach that embraces both relationship and contradiction. Using role-playing, collaboration, appropriation and the transformation of the commonplace she builds up a community of social relations.
Standpoint Gallery is an independent artist-run project space based in Hoxton. All projects are developed in collaboration with selected artists and aim to provide a platform for innovative new work and ideas. Standpoint is a recognised centre of excellence for artist-led activity and debate - our programme of public exhibitions, performances, talks and discussions aims to promote diverse experimentation and analysis in all areas of contemporary practice. Further information: Fiona MacDonald: 0207 739 4921 / standpointgallery@btconnect.com Venue: Standpoint Gallery, 45 Coronet Street, London N1 6HD Gallery Open: Wednesday – Saturday, 12-6pm Tube: Old Street, Exit 2 (Northern Line – Bank Branch) Buses: 55, 67, 149, 242, 243 Web: www.standpointlondon.co.uk
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