CHARLOTTE POSENENSKE
the same but different, berlin
mehdi chouakri
Charlotte Posenenske, „Statement“ [Manifesto], Art International no. 5 (May 1968)
The things I make are changeable, as simple as possible, reproducible. They are components of a space, because they are similar to building elements, they can always be rearranged into new combinations or positions, thereby altering space. I leave this alteration to the consumer, who thereby again and again participates in the assembly process. The simplicity of the basic geometric forms is beautiful and suited to demonstrate the principles of rationalized alteration. I make series because I do not want to make individual pieces for individuals, in order to have elements combinable within a system, in order to make something that is repeatable, objective, and because it is economical. The series can be prototypes for mass-production. Series DW (at Fischer‘s) is made of corrugated cardboard, which is lightweight and inexpensive: a material for consumption. Often, the elements or their combinations are very large in order to alter the spatial surroundings all the more thoroughly.They approximate architectural dimensions and for this also reason increasingly differ from the former gallery objects. They are less and less recognizable as „works of art.“ The objects are intended to have the objective character of industrial products. They are not intended to represent anything other than what they are. The previous categorization of the arts no longer exists. Future artists will have to work with a team of experts in a development laboratory. Although art‘s formal development has progressed at an increasing tempo, its social function has withered. Art is a commodity that is only temporarily contemporary, yet the market is minute, and prestige and prices rise the less current the supply is. I find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that art can contribute nothing to the solution of pressing social problems. Offenbach, February 11, 1968
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Cover Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011 (detail)
p. 14 – 15 Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011 (details)
p. 2 – 3 Exhibition view The Same But Different, Berlin Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011 Revolving Doors Seriess E, 1967/68-2011 Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011
p. 16 Exhibition view The Same But Different, Berlin Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011 Square Tubes Series D, 1967-2011
p. 4 – 5 Exhibition view The Same But Different, Berlin Revolving Doors Series E, 1967/68-2011 Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011
p. 17 Square Tubes Series D, 1967-2011 p. 18 – 19 Exhibition view The Same But Different, Berlin Square Tubes Series D, 1967-2011
p. 6 – 7 Revolving Doors Series E, 1967/68-2011 200 x 200 x 200 cm p. 8 Revolving Doors Series E, 1967/68-2011 100 x 100 x 100 cm p. 9 Exhibition view The Same But Different, Berlin Revolving Doors Series E, 1967/68-2011 Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011 p. 10 – 11 Exhibition view The Same But Different, Berlin p. 12 – 13 Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011
All Revolving Doors Series E Steel frame, aluminum coated plastic slabs, spray paint, revolvable on 3 or 4 axes All Reliefs Series B spray painted aluminum, each 100 x 50 x 14 cm All Square Tubes Series D steel sheet, hot-dip galvanised and part of a modular system with adaptable dimensions All works are „authorised reconstructions“ and come with a certificate by the estate
This catalogue was published on the occasion of Charlotte Posenenske‘s exhibition The Same But Different, Berlin at Mehdi Chouakri Gallery, September 9 – October 22, 2011 Photographs by Jan Windszus, Berlin All works © Burkhard Brunn and courtesy Mehdi Chouakri Gallery 1000 copies Printed by Spree Druck, Berlin The Same But Different, Berlin is the fifth in a series of publications celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Mehdi Chouakri Gallery
Mehdi Chouakri Invalidenstrasse 117 10115 Berlin T + 49 30 28 39 11 53 F + 49 30 28 39 11 54 galerie@mehdi-chouakri.com www.mehdi-chouakri.com