translated and summarized by: Liz Wollner-Grandville,
190410: Svenja Deininger, Julius Koller
Galerie Martin Janda Raum aktueller Kunst
Svenja Deininger, Julius Koller
27.03.10 – 30.04.10
The harmony of disturbing factors
The current exhibition at the Galerie Martin Janda presents Svenja Deininger suggestive picture puzzles, set between abstraction and figurativeness. The artist, born 1974 in Vienna, predominantly sees her works - for the most part small-format compositions - as atmospheric spaces, even if photographs of concrete places oftentimes influenced the starting point of her work.
In her works, which are based on geometric forms, Deininger attempts to apprehend the limits of painting, by dealing with questions of “space, light, which makes it partially visible”, as well as “forms of architecture”: the ground coat of the canvas, mainly in beige, brown or blue tones, are not overlaid with the actual painting, but are an integral part of the compositions. Together with the additional layers of oil paint – which are often square, triangular or in other forms, are characteristic for Deininger’s work in diverse gradations of white and black, and result in a plastic, collage-like effect.
In some instances, the geometrical rigour is lessened: by removing colour, which manifests itself in the form of sharply jagged irregularly broken lines, juxtaposed by unexpectedly precisely positioned, smoothly blurred circles and lines. To achieve the “correct balance, respectively unbalance” of a picture composition, Deininger purposely integrates disturbing factors: by positioning forms directly at the edge of the picture or with the help of colour elements positioned as a counterpoint – as for example in one of the works in a radiant Yves Klein-blue -, which ultimately balances the entire picture.
Deininger’s individual style best manifests itself in her reduced works. Abandoning any superficial speculation, the artist creates strong association-spaces through the subtle oscillation between two- and three-dimensionality. The ambivalent undertone shapes the consistent suspense: the atmospheric range of Deininger’s space world’s comprises both a protective function from the outside as well as a certain threat-potential, and aesthetically mirrors insinuations of the seeming idyll of the 50’s as well as the futuristic impression, which surmises the homelessness of an uncertain future.
On the gallery’s lower floor, a small display is devoted to Julius Koller, the old master of succinct subversive humour, with his works spanning from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. They include the constantly repeating elements of his work: such as the question mark or a UFO – as well as a real communist roll of toilet paper from 1978.
By Susanne Jäger
Galerie Martin Janda Raum aktueller Kunst
1010 Vienna, Eschenbachgasse 11
Tel: +43 1 585 73 71
Fax: + 43 1 585 73 72
email: office@raumaktuellerkunst.at
http://www.martinjanda.at
Opening hours: Tue – Fri 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
190410
Galerie Martin Janda
1010 Wien, Eschenbachgasse 11
Tel: +43 1 585 73 71, Fax: +43 1 585 73 72
Email: galerie@martinjanda.at
http://www.martinjanda.at
Öffnungszeiten: Di-Fr: 11-18h
Sa: 11-16h
Galerie Martin Janda
1010 Wien, Eschenbachgasse 11
Tel: +43 1 585 73 71, Fax: +43 1 585 73 72
Email: galerie@martinjanda.at
http://www.martinjanda.at
Öffnungszeiten: Di-Fr: 11-18h
Sa: 11-16h