Through minimal modifications of standard measurement coordinates, like the size of a normal sheet of paper and a number of other familiar things, the artist attempts to open our eyes to the incidental nature of rules, regulations and prescriptions which determine sizes and volumes of most objects of everyday use.
Galerie Reinhard Hauff is pleased to announce its first solo show with
the Danish artist Lasse Schmidt Hansen (*1978). Lasse Schmidt Hansen,
who studied at the Städelschule in Frankfurt under Tobias Rehberger
from 2003 to 2006, has previously participated in group shows at the
gallery. Lasse Schmidt Hansen works with adherence to and deviation
from formalised standards, and the role of perception. Through minimal
modifications of standard DIN („German Industry norms“) measurement
coordinates, like the size of a normal sheet of paper and a number of
other familiar things, the artist attempts to open our eyes to the
incidental nature of rules, regulations and prescriptions which
determine sizes and volumes of most objects of everyday use. Through
hardly perceptible changes to the size of mass produced design pieces,
stationary, worksheets and architectural features, Lasse Schmidt Hansen
distorts ever so slightly but fundamentally our acceptance of the
„laws“ governing size and measure, form and function. Taking „the
Dilemma of free choice of a Standard as symptomatic of our relationship
to the normality of our society“ (Sören Gammel), Lasse Schmidt Hansen’s
work subversively questions what is in reality often just an arbitrary
set of norms.
Lasse Schmidt Hansens whole show at the Galerie Reinhard Hauff is about
inaccuracy in production of art (and other objects). The artist
deliberately uses the minimal deviation from standards as the
conceptual element connecting the pieces in the exhibition. „Untitled
Grey“, for example, consists of a group of DIN A3 sheets of paper with
prints of the grey scale done on different photocopying machines.
Depending on the system preferences of the photocopier, the condition
and make of the ink cartridge and the quality of the paper a different
set of grey scale images result which the artist displays in a row
according to the saturation of the grey hues produced by the machine.
The composition „Photographing landscape. Some of it“ follows the same
concept: A sequence of digital shots of a specific site in the vicinity
of Rotterdam illustrates the impossibility of arriving at two identical
views of the same spot. The invariably different contours of the
horizon, the camera angle and the light nuances in the succession of
shots on display make the viewer aware that contrary to the tradition
of 17th century Dutch landscape painting, no single definitive
recording of any given spot can be proclaimed today. The piece
„3107/3107“ shows two certified copies of Arne Jacobsen’s popular
design classic the Series 7 chair. This chair, designed in 1955, became
one of the most popular late 20th and early 21st century chairs.
Placing two of the mass-produced copies of a licensed reproduction of
the „Original“ next to each other in the gallery show slight
differences in size. It is impossible to account for the moment the
difference/ deviation/ error or unfaithfulness to the „Original“
occurred in this ongoing process of working from an original standard.
Perception, optical illusion, mind over matter, same, same but
different: „By changing any design the whole perception of the world
will change with it, even if it’s just with an inch“ (Lasse Schmidt
Hansen).
opening february 8, 2008
Galerie Reinhard Hauff
Paulinenstr. 47 - Stuttgart
Open: Tuesdays - Fridays, 1 - 6 PM, Saturdays, 11 AM - 3 PM and by appointment.
Free admission