Press release T H R O U G H A G L A S S, C L E A R L Y / Stefan Guggisberg Special Exhibition September 9, 2016 January 15, 2017 Through a Glass, Clearly is the title of the first institutional exhibition by Sebastian Burger (born 1980 in Magdeburg) and Stefan Guggisberg (born 1980 in Thun). The focus of the exhibition lies on new works on paper by both artists. The exhibition aims at establishing a dialogue between two positions, that have parallels in their artistic development: Burger and Guggisberg both graduated from the Academy of Visual Arts in Leipzig and were Meisterschüler (postgraduate students) in the class of Neo Rauch. The works presented in the exhibition give visitors an opportunity to understand and perceive the artistic and technical differentiation of their approach. Common to both artists is a fundamental interest in the visual and haptic treatment of materials and surfaces, while in conceptual terms they take different directions: the centre of interest of Guggisberg s works is the exploration of primal forces and cosmological ideas. In a laborious process Guggisberg creates artificial visions of inner landscapes, where natural elements and primordial forces such as water, stone, air, and light play key roles. His distinctive images often have an archaic character and bear witness to an inner truth of things, that seems to adhere to a universal logic of time and space. Burger focuses on the artificial nature of the physical qualities of materials such as glass, metal, plastic, leather, and other fabrics. His visual language is influenced by media and pop culture. Besides autobiographical references, Burger uses motifs from music, litera- 1
ture and film e.g. the utopian elements of science-fiction for his compositions and arranges them into new meanings and images, that oscillate between still-lifes, landscapes and comics. The title of the exhibition Through a Glass, Clearly can be understood quite literally. Both artists play with the dichotomy of visibility and invisibility and the optical clarity of forms and materials. Burger and Guggisberg create new glassy worlds composed of real, seemingly tangible objects and things, which are shaped from the paper ground and glazed oil with high precision in the execution and thus highlight the contrast between the fragility and persistence of structures. This raises questions about the perception of images in our time, which is marked by filters on tablet and smartphone displays. The seemingly incessant flood of images spawns perpetual reproductions on luminous flat screens. In this context the slow process of creation applied by both artist appears almost anachronistic. The art works of Burger and Guggisberg feature crystal-clear as well as distorted or unfocused elements that enable the visitors of the exhibition to pierce through the glassy foil, to clear their gaze, and thus expand their own experience of seeing. An exhibition catalog will be published to accompany this exhibition (MMKoehn Verlag Berlin/ Leipzig). Parallel to the exhibition Through a Glass, Clearly parts of the Hildebrand Collection will be presented at G2 Kunsthalle. Besides new acquisitions by Neo Rauch, David Schnell and Uwe Kowski, works from the collection by, among others, Björn Dahlem, Marcel Dzama, Jens Einhorn, Grit Hachmeister, Gregor Hildebrandt, Anna K.E., Juliana Ortiz, Thomas Ruff, Tal R and Thomas Schütte will be shown for the first time., born 1980 in Magdeburg, 2001 2003 Vienna Art School, 2003 2009 studied painting at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig, 2005 2009 class of Neo Rauch, 2010 2012 "Meisterschüler" (postgraduate) at the class of Neo Rauch. Burger lives and works in Leipzig. Solo exhibitions include Leipzig (2016), Frankfurt/ Main (2014) and Berlin (2013). He participated in numerous group shows in Leipzig, Berlin and other cities including Naples (2016), New York (2016), London (2014) and Hamburg (2012). Stefan Guggisberg, born 1980 in Thun (Switzerland), 1999 2003 School of Design Biel, 2005 2009 studied photography and painting at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig in the classes of Christopher Muller, Neo Rauch and Timm Rautert, 2010 2012 "Meisterschüler" (postgraduate) at the class of Neo Rauch. Guggisberg lives and works in Leipzig. Solo exhibitions include Zurich (2015), Stuttgart (2013), Lugano (2011), Lucerne (2010) and Bern (2009). He participated in numerous group shows in Leipzig, Bern and other cities including Thun (2015), Biel (2014), Oslo (2014) and Aschaffenburg (2013). 2
G2 Kunsthalle Exhibited works Aicul, 2016 35 x 45 cm Motel John Lykes, 2016 140 x 100 cm Lucia, 2016 35 x 45 cm BEGS, 2016 David, 2016 Diptam, 2016 Alexander, 2016 Private Collection, Magdeburg Ocmas, 2016 70 x 50 cm Rivo, 2016 70 x 50 cm Magill, 2016 70 x 50 cm 3
Ausgestellte Werke Stefan Guggisberg Nabel, 2016 300 x 370 cm Stefan Guggisberg Stefan Guggisberg Stefan Guggisberg Zentren, 2016 Kollision, 2015 Konstellation, 2015 25 x 22 cm 125 x 100 cm 35 x 42 cm Collection Canton Bern (Switzerland) Stefan Guggisberg Stefan Guggisberg Wärme, 2015 Element, 2016 65 x 50 cm 195 x 245 cm 4
G2 #5 Special Exhibition / Stefan Guggisberg Through a Glass, Clearly Duration: September 9, 2016 January 15, 2017 Venue: G2 Kunsthalle Leipzig,,, Opening: Thursday, September 8, 2016, 6 9pm Press-preview: Wednesday, September 7, 2016, 11am Artist talk: Thursday, November 17, 2016, 6.30pm Visit us (Special exhibitions & Hildebrand Collection) Wed 3 8pm, special opening hours: Sat September 17, 2016, 12am 6pm & Sun September 18, 2016, 12am 3pm (in collaboration with the Spinnerei Galleries on occasion of the Autumn Gallery Tour 2016). Guided tours in German Thu Sun 3pm & Mon 11am, in English Sun 4pm & Mon 12am (online booking required at /en). The G2 offers special group tours in various languages (German, English, French, Italian and Russian) and school programs free of charge for teachers and students. Individual visits may be scheduled upon request. Admission: The admission fee is 5 Euros per person; reduced tickets are available for 3 Euros. Students under 27 are eligible for reduced admission (valid ID / Documents required). Students of Fine Arts and Art History, as well as children under the age of 12, enter free of charge. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. For further information please check our website or contact us: G2 Kunsthalle Selected artworks from the Hildebrand Collection are permanently on view at the G2 Kunsthalle. The private collection focuses on contemporary painting from Leipzig represented through significant artworks by established artists as well as by younger, emerging names, inlcuding Tilo Baumgärtel, Henriette Grahnert, Paule Hammer, Katrin Heichel, Uwe Kowski, Peter Krauskopf, Edgar Leciejewski, Rosa Loy, Neo Rauch, Christoph Ruckhäberle, David Schnell, Kristina Schuldt, Matthias Weischer and other artists. A second substantial nucleus of the collection consists of national and international artistic movements, currently represented at the G2 through art works by Daniel Richter, Thomas Ruff, Tomás Saraceno and others. Founded in March 2015, the G2 Kunsthalle and its more than 1,000 square meters exhibition space are located in the 3rd floor oft he former GDR processing centre in the city centre of Leipzig. Parallel to the exhibition of the permanent collection, since November 2015 the G2 realizes special exhibitions in collaboration with contemporary artists. From the G2 s transparent lounge all visitors enjoy a great view over the city of Leipzig from a unique position in front of the famous Church of St. Thomas. 5
Press Images G2 Kunsthalle To aid current press coverage the G2 Kunsthalle provides a selection of images. Highres pics of the low-res image proofs of artworks as well as installation views are available (free of charge) upon request. The press images are only approved for one-time usage in features and reviews about the exhibition Through a Glass, Clearly by Sebastian burger and Stefan Guggisberg or about the collection permanently exhibited at the G2 Kunsthalle Leipzig. Please use the specified caption and credit line for every image. Images cannot be passed on for use by third parties. Photography and filming for the purposes of press coverage on the current exhibition or event is permitted during press conferences given by the G2 Kunsthalle Leipzig. Press & media Contact For further information please contact Ms. Anka Ziefer, email: anka.ziefer@g2-leipzig.de, phone. Please send us a copy of the review or article once it is published. We accept reviews in electronic and/or paper format. Thank you! Neo Rauch, Fremde, 2016 Oil on canvas / Öl auf Leinwand 250 x 300 cm Hildebrand Collection Courtesy Galerie EIGEN + ART Leipzig/Berlin photo: Uwe Walter the artist & VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2016 6