Hannes Uhlenhaut - Zodiac Signs
Inspired by an artist residency in Jingdezhen, China, in 2019, Hannes Uhlenhaut not only explored the traditional techniques and aesthetics of porcelain, but also intertwined contemporary art with them. The result is a unique fusion of tradition and modernity that gives his works an unparalleled depth and complexity, inviting the viewer to reflect on the boundaries of time and space. Working with porcelain is not only an artistic practice, but also a journey through history and culture. Through his works, Uhlenhaut creates a bridge between past and present, between East and West, and invites the viewer to be enchanted by the fascinating world of porcelain.
2024 is the year of the dragon
Since February 10, the Year of the Dragon has begun in China as part of the New Year celebrations - an important year in the Chinese zodiac that returns every 12 years, as it is often seen as a particularly lucky and powerful year. This year is not only a symbol of luck, strength and prosperity, but also a time to celebrate the beauty and cultural depth of Chinese art.
Unique piece | signed | porcelain | size 123 x 88 x 5 cm (H x W x D)
"I see the continuation of my latest series of works - Zodiac Signs - as a pattern of an approach to Chinese and Asian culture in general, whose intertwining with our own, although it has been progressing for centuries, has reached its temporary climax in our time. My reliefs, as well as the shoe and digital photographic works, are designed as open, ambiguous experiments in which cultural influences and aesthetics are allowed to coalesce. They are by no means instructive; rather, they are apparitions from a near or distant future, dream images or reflections of utopias and dystopias alike." - Hannes Uhlenhaut.
A new dimension in porcelain
With his extraordinary work with porcelain, Hannes Uhlenhaut creates a unique design language that is not only aesthetically appealing, but also reinterprets the essence of porcelain production in a contemporary context.
As a bas-relief, the artist takes porcelain to a whole new dimension. Through innovative techniques and unparalleled craftsmanship, the boundaries of the material are challenged and expanded. His reliefs are finely crafted depictions of shapes and textures that are given an astonishing vibrancy and dynamism by the translucent porcelain.
The unique properties of porcelain, its strength and radiant surface, make it a fascinating medium for artistic expression. Uhlenhaut cleverly uses these properties to create works of timeless beauty and elegance that simultaneously honor the tradition of porcelain and introduce it to the contemporary art landscape.
ARTES Berlin presents the exhibition NOW. HERE. CONTEMPORARY. Works by Hannes Uhlenhaut together with works by Nari Jo, Ruri Matsumoto and Thomas Röthel
NOW. HERE. CONTEMPORARY.
3.2. — 16.3.2024
ARTES Berlin • Auguststraße 19 • 10117 Berlin
Di - Fr, 11am - 6pm Sa, 12pm - 6pm