Article by Samantha Manton in Berlin // Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011
On Friday 25th November Prenzlauer Berg welcomes a new addition to its art scene; Galerie Kuchling. For their first show ‘Visions and Traditions’, the Kuchling brothers will present three artists, two working together and one alone, whose works examine European traditions- that is, who we are, what we do and how we reflect on our past in order to look to the future.
Jarmila Mitríková & Dávid Demjanovič – Detail from “Procession with Monster”(2011), Pyrography on wood, 180x125cm; image courtesy of Galerie Kuchling
Bratislava-based duo, Jarmila Mitríková & Dávid Demjanovič, explore historical and religious folklore by burning wooden surfaces to produce powerful depictions of the world. The use of pyrography exposes fire’s two potentialities- cultivation and destruction- somewhat cynically likening it’s nature to the path of society. Despite there also being a great deal of humour in their work, Mitríková and Demjanovič powerfully express the inevitability of fingers being burned, both literally and figuratively, in times shaped by a multitude of crises.
Contextually, whilst these works predominantly reflect upon the past, the ‘future archaeology ’ series of Copenhagen-based artist Frank Busk which will share the new gallery space, looks more to the future. Conversely, his expertise in the oldest graphic traditions and his celebration of the simplicity and pure expression of engraved wood and linoleum, express an affinity with the times gone by. Here, technique and materiality clash wonderfully with the overriding subject matter; a projection of things to come, a vision of tomorrow, and the inherent question; What will be left of our presence in the future and what will it look like?
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Additional Information
GALERIE KUCHLING
VISIONS AND TRADITIONS: Jarmila Mitríková & Dávid Demjanovič and Frank Busk
Exhibition: Nov. 26, 2011 – Jan. 27, 2012
Opening reception: Friday, Nov. 25, 6pm – 10pm
Prenzlauer Allee 188, 10405 Berlin, (click here for map)
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