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21/1/2014

Oliver Minder

Hauser Gallery, Zurich

The disharmony between man and nature is a problem which has been a subject of debate since as long ago as the Greek philosophers. And even today it is the repeated subject of teachings, philosophies, beliefs, art styles and even economic and state theories. In his works, Basle-based artist Oliver Minder alludes to this ubiquitous phenomenon, relying on his very own intuition to do so. In so doing he uses natural materials such as cuttlefish ink, compost soil, carbon, honeycombs, cowhide, goatskin and wood, which he skillfully sets in a sharp contrast with artificial materials, such as pieces of synthetic glitter and various artificial resins. These then come together to create a new set of aesthetics which the viewer initially needs to become aware of. At the same time, through this discrepancy, scope for a new interpretation is suddenly opened up in our seemingly harmonious perception.

Minder’s chosen materials always evoke associations and serve as representative examples of nature or man. Within the framework of a deep interest in this sharp contrast with its reciprocal tensions, he took his inspiration from the term “melancholy”, something he expresses using the secretion from the sepia officinalis cuttlefish.
The exhibition presents a number of these pitch-black artworks, each of which is coated with a carefully placed strip of alkyd resin varnish. The compositions are reminiscent of art movements such as Suprematism and the abstract Expressionism of Mark Rothko. With his artificial flowers and plants which have been torn from their pots and now hang upside down in space he assimilates the vibrancy of «Arte Povera» - a wonderful interplay of art, artificiality and nature.
In this way, Minder’s works consciously question the social, political, cultural and psychological contexts of today’s consumer society. His pictures open up a dialogue between aesthetics and artificiality which includes the destruction and exploitation of the Earth by its inhabitants.
Text: Graziella Kuhn

Oliver Minder (*1980) lives and works in Basle. From 2004-2005 he attended the College of Design’s foundation course so as to be able to subsequently study Art. He embarked on these studies at the Art Institute attached to FHNW, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, in 2006, graduating in Fine Arts in 2009. In 2011, he was awarded the iaab foreign scholarship, enabling him to live and work in Helsinki, Finland for six months. Since 2008, his work has been shown at numerous solo and group exhibitions. More of his work will be on display at a group show “Nordwestwind” (northwest wind) at Kunstzeughaus Rapperswil from February 9 through May 4, 2014.

Opening Wednesday 22nd January 2013 at 18-21h, the artist will be present

ù Hauser Gallery
Pflanzschulstrasse 17, Zurich
Open hours; from Wednesday to Friday 14 - 18, or by appointment
Free entrance

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