Michael Beutler, January to April 2013
Michael Beutler was born in 1976 in Oldenburg and lives and works in Berlin.
Michael Beutler's works unfold completely in the space in which they are presented, his installations have open forms, with approximate contours, and seem to completely seize the available space. Thus, solely by their size and volume, they question the space in which they are located.
The simplicity of the materials used (cardboard, paper, fabric, scotch, wood...) contrasts with the methodical and thoughtful production processes developed by the artist: the machines and tools visible alongside his installations underline the importance of the manufacturing process in his approach.
All the usual principles of construction are questioned by the artist: paper and cardboard become structuring materials.
Michael Beutler's sculptures are autonomous architectures within other architectures, of which he proposes a singular rereading. He does not intervene on existing architecture, but the excessiveness of his own installation in a precise place totally upsets its perception.
The Maison Saucisson project developed at Atelier Calder is conceived as a complete programme from the manufacture of the elements to the construction of the houses.
He imagined a set of structures built from circular elements, made of straw and earth, stacked one on top of the other, inspired by both architecture and sculpture.
For each stage in the making of Maisons Saucissons, the artist has set up an experimental creative process, drawing inspiration from existing machines and traditional tools.
Michael Beutler organized this project in a workshop. Several groups of students from the Tours School of Fine Arts and the Bordeaux School of Higher Art Education participated in the creation of the Sausage Houses.
Michael Beutler's approach questions standardization by creating his own architectural construction conditions, exploring alternative, unusual paths. The result is a series of questions about our use of public and private space.
Michael Beutler is a graduate of the Städelschule in Frankfurt and the Glasgow School of Art. Michael Beutler's works have been shown at Portikus (Frankfurt - 2007) and at the Folkwang Museum in Essen. He took part in the Berlin International Art Biennial in 2005 and the Moscow International Art Biennial (2005). He exhibited at Secession (Vienna 2002). A solo exhibition was devoted to him at the Bonniers Konsthall Museum in Stockholm, Sweden (2008), he participated in the group exhibition La vie des Formes at the Abattoirs de Toulouse in 2012 and in numerous events (Frieze in London, Art Basel, 2009...).
A solo exhibition was held at the Grand Café Centre d'Art de Saint-Nazaire Knock knock, in partnership with Atelier Calder.
www.grandcafe-saintnazaire.fr
http://galerie-graesslin.de/artists/michael-beutler/11/index