Works by Markus Amm, Sara Barker, Charlotte Moth and Robin Watkins, whichseek out the specifics of geometry, the kind of geometry that reveals itself in common shapes or historic artistic traditions, which furthermore is to be found in the quotidian or in physical experiments.
The Geometry of Things at GAK Gesellschaft für Aktuelle Kunst assembles works by Markus Amm, Sara
Barker, Charlotte Moth and Robin Watkins, which in different ways incorporate “points, lines, planes,
distances, angles, etc.” 1 All four artists seek out the specifics of geometry, the kind of geometry that
reveals itself in common shapes or historic artistic traditions, which furthermore is to be found in the
quotidian or in physical experiments.
The exhibition title serves less as a strict, thematic frame but is rather meant to be a loose, formal
bracket, connecting different artistic positions with varying statements. The Geometry of Things as a
“language of man”2 and underlying “rhythm” 3 can be found in any of the four approaches – sometimes
evident, another time rather hidden. It is the common thread, which underlies these diverse
positions in a spatial situation without constraining their individual perspectives. It is a platform
which allows the works to spread out in their diversity.
The paintings of Markus Amm (born 1969 in Stuttgart, lives in Berlin) explore various fields of
inquiry relating to the boundaries and possibilities of painting, space in its actual and constructed
forms, and illusion and reality. The influences of avant-garde art movements play a pivotal role in
his work – basic geometric forms and a restrained use of colour similar to that cultivated in works of
Russian Constructivism, De Stijl and Bauhaus. While he is not disinclined to make use of traditional
or everyday materials, their utilization entails the exploration of new methods of application.
Sara Barker’s (*1980 in Manchester, lives in Glasgow) sculptures seem to be three-dimensional
drawings, which diffuse in space with the help of linear wooden strips, concrete levels, metal bars and
glass in order to connect, disrupt, extend or reflect their surrounding. Surface and space, indoor and
outdoor entangle, architecture and sculpture entangle and become an unity. A fragile unity as if they
always would be slightly out of balance and just before collapse.
Charlotte Moth (*1978 in Carshalton, lives in Paris) seeks „the geometry of things“ directly by
tracing it on her travels, tracking it in architecture or ordinary arrangements and by finally capturing
it in photos, films or installations. Moth does not construct new geometry-inspired structures but
instead gathers geometric forms where she finds them in everyday life. An important addition for her
is thereby the architectural space of presentation, and its “inherent spirit of geometry” (Moth) which
influences her work.
Robin Watkins (*1980 in Stockholm, lives in Berlin) grapples with everyday objects in order to reveal
their secrets in experimental arrangements. They similarly focus on the complex relationship
between periodic natural phenomena and the rhythm of social behaviour intrinsic to these. Watkin’s
pictorial and physical representations of resting bodies, the passage of time and other moments of
everyday experience form images that oscillate between constancy and the inevitable changes
wrought by the flow of time.
1 Wikipedia, 9.11.2012.
2 Amedée Ozenfant and Le Corbusier, in Après Cubisme, Paris 1918.
3 Le Corbusier, Vers Une Architecture, Paris 1923.
Image: Markus Amm, Untitled, 2010. Acryl und Grundierung auf Leinwand, 2-teilig, je 127 x 158,5 cm. Courtesy der Künstler
For further information please get in touch with:
Yvonne Bialek, presse@gak-bremen.de, T. +49 421–500897.
Press conference: Friday, 1 March, 11 am
Opening: Friday, 1 March, 7 pm
GAK Gesellschaft für Aktuelle Kunst
Teerhof 21 - D-28199 Bremen
OPENING HOURS
Tuesday to Sunday 11 - 18, Thu to 21
ADMISSION
Normal: 3 - Euro
Family: 6, - Euro
Reduced: 2 - Euro (students, seniors and artists, the unemployed, and the members of the BBK Gedok)