large-scale sculptures exhibited at könig gallery invite viewers to reflect on human interaction

german artist and sculptor andreas schmitten exhibits his latest creation, a series of large-scale spatial sculptures, in the shotcrete nave; the central exhibition space of the könig galerie, germany. the works were developed over the last two years, in the artist’s home studio, and were created during the pandemic – a period partly characterized by social paralysis.

images by roman märz

the massiveness of the works by andreas schmitten is emphasized by the high walls and sacred atmosphere of the former church space. the artist reinforced the impression of ‘overpresentation’ with elaborately crafted pedestals, some of which are more prominent than the sculptures they support. the reduced formal language of the works and the perfect craftsmanship with which they are made encourage associations with design. nevertheless, the sculptures solely fulfill their purpose in themselves as art objects rather than being focused on functionality.

the title of the exhibition, sesshaft—meaning settled, refers to the human way of life. since humans abandoned the nomadic lifestyle tens of thousands of years ago, they have left ever more obvious traces of their existence, also in the form of artistic production. globalization is making this lifestyle increasingly vulnerable.

for andreas schmitten, the pandemic was a turning point that put a spotlight on humanity and how we live together. his sculptures had previously often been negatives of human bodies, bodily fragments are now clearly visible. these elements in the form of legs, arms, and a face merge seamlessly into basins. as a place of purification, these usually serve to rinse away bodily secretions, an action that suddenly took on special significance during the pandemic.

project info:

name: SESSHAFT

artist: andreas schmitten

exhibited at: KÖNIG GALERIE, berlin, germany

exhibition date: 26 june, 2021 till 29 august, 2021

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