Niki de Saint Phalle
dal 19/5/2010 al 24/9/2010
Segnalato da
19/5/2010
Niki de Saint Phalle
Essl Museum Contemporary Art, Klosterneuburg
With the exhibition 'In the Garden of Imagination' the Essl Museum offers a retrospective look at the work of the artist who died in 2002. Niki de Saint Phalle is particularly well known for her colourful Nana figurines. Incontestably, no viewer will remain unaffected by the infectious cheerfulness and sensuality of her works. The current exhibition will provide a welcome opportunity to explore all creative phases in the work of this fascinating artist and to become even better acquainted with her comprehensive oeuvre. Curated by Andreas Hoffer, Anna Szoke and Maria Theresia Moritz.
Curated by Andreas Hoffer, Anna Szöke and Maria Theresia Moritz
With the exhibition NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE –
In the Garden of Imagination<, the Essl Museum
offers a retrospective look at the work of the artist
who died in 2002.
Early assemblages, Tirs (Shooting Paintings), objects
and sculptures from the famous Tarot Garden in
Tuscany, work created together with Jean Tinguely,
as well as the famous Nanas will be on show.
The exhibition starts with creative work with a feminist
twist, the spectacular Shooting Paintings. These usually
consisted of canvases portraying male or monstrous
creatures which the artist shot at with real fire arms in
the presence of a live audience.
“I was ready to kill. As victims I chose my own paintings”, the artist once commented on
her Shooting Pictures, and she went on to say: “The paintings were shedding blood. The
white surface was covered with splashes of colour. The paintings came alive.”
With its fantastic range of shapes and colours, Niki des Saint Phalle’s work evolved into a
unique universe of humour and sensuality. In her later years, the artist also became
enthralled with garden design.
The idea of showing her work at the Essl Museum germinated after an encounter between
the art collectors and the artist in California in 2001.
“We experienced Niki de Saint Phalle as a bubbly, exuberant artist with sparkling eyes
and a keen intellect. Her warm welcome quickly created a trusting and friendly
atmosphere which made it possible for us to form a very personal and profound
impression of her art and her working methods.” recalls Prof. Karlheinz Essl.
In the public at large, Niki de Saint Phalle is particularly well known for her colourful
Nana figurines. Incontestably, no viewer will remain unaffected by the infectious
cheerfulness and sensuality of her works. The current exhibition will provide a welcome
opportunity to explore all creative phases in the work of this fascinating artist and to
become even better acquainted with her comprehensive oeuvre.
The exhibition has been made possible by the excellent co-operation with the Sprengel
Museum in Hannover, which has been entrusted with a large portion of the artist’s estate.
An exhibition catalogue of approximately 80 pages will be published with a preface by Prof. Karlheinz Essl and
texts by Andreas Hoffer and Maria Theresa Moritz.
The art education team offers guided tours and workshops during the exhibition, e.g. the guided tour
NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE< every Sunday at 1 p.m. Please access the current calendar of events at
http://www.essl.museum/Kunstvermittlung.
Summer Open House >IN THE GARDEN OF IMAGINATION < Sat, 12 June and Sun, 13 June 2010
A weekend filled with highlights for visitors of all ages: guided tours, workshops, culinary delights – and the
entrance is free.
Image: La tempérance, 1978, Photo: Michael Herling / Aline Gwose © VBK Wien, 2009
Press and Public Relations Office:
Erwin Uhrmann (head), uhrmann@essl.museum, +43 (0) 2243/370 5060
Regina Holler-Strobl, holler-strobl@essl.museum, +43 (0) 2243/370 5062
Press prewiev: 20.05.2010, h 10.30 a.m.
Opening 20 May, h 7.30 p.m.
Essl Museum - Contemporary Art
An der Donau-Au 1, A-3400 Vienna / Klosterneuburg
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wed 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Free Admission 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.