Rudolf Stingel’s solo show at Secession, the renowned Viennese museum, will be on view until 15 April. Stingel has analyzed the relationship between space and painting for many years, making a substantial contribution to breaking up the configuration of the white cube – exemplified with “Live”, his solo show at Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin (2010).With this exhibition, Stingel returns to the empty space showing just three works. As Reiner Zettl writes in the catalogue: “The three pictorial objects are positioned to correspond with the Greek cross of the Secession building’s ground plan and to form a three-dimensional triptych”. Untitled (1631) (2008) is made up of two black reliefs positioned to the sides of the room, while his photo-realistic self-portrait Untitled (After Sam) (2006), based on a Sam Samore’s photograph, works as central panel in an altarpiece. The fine decorative elements in the two black plaster works, inspired by Baroque wallpaper, produce a sort of distance which creates isolation due to their symmetrical position.
Rudolf Stingel was born in 1956 in Merano (IT). He lives and works in New York and Merano.
“Rudolf Stingel” runs at Secession, Vienna, from Febryary 23 until April 15.
http://www.secession.at/e.html
