I S A B E L L
mehdi chouakri
T H E N E W
H W E O I R M L E D R D J I O N Y G G E A R R D E N
Isabell Heimerdinger’s film Good Friends was shot in Beijing with a Chinese film crew and cast. The famous Chinese restaurant on Berlin’s Kantstraße served as the inspiration for the title of this work. A lively tavern is the setting of a scene that could be part of a classic detective story – two strangers swap their seats and carry out the handover of a black leather briefcase. Heimerdinger filmed the scene from five different camera angles in order to fully capture the atmosphere of the restaurant. Contemporary Chinese culture, despite its modernity, breathes old traditions and harbors many inspiring moments for the artist. She is also very interested in the cinema from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. These pop cultural influences manifest themselves in her newest works, which are being presented in our show. A paravent rests by the entrance of the exhibition. In this piece Heimerdinger incorporates various components of her works. She turns “cuculoris”, objects used to cast light effects in film, into a room divider. Paravents originate from China and Japan and are still commonly prevalent today. The film Good Friends is shown from different camera angles on five iPads that are placed on identical pedestals. Each screen is being supported by an object from everyday Chinese culture, like an ashtray in the form of the National Stadium by Herzog & De Meuron, a Mao ceramic statue, a Buddha figure... Two neon pieces which spell out the deconstructed Chinese characters for “Performance” and “Reality” are displayed in the back room. Both terms form a central role in Isabell Heimderdinger’s art. The fine line between reality and fiction is a frequent theme of her films, expressed by the use of “standard” film scenes. Furthermore, another work consists of the famous scent “Opium” by Yves Saint Laurent and is filling the room through an air humidifier. The designer had started a lasting Asia craze in 1977 with his collection, which had been inspired by the formal language of traditional Chinese fashion and with the creation of this oriental scent with its controversial name.
Front cover Exhibition view The New World Joy Garden (detail first space) p. 2 – 3 Good Friends, scene 4, 2011 1 channel video, iPad, Mao ceramic statue circa 30 x 24 x 9 cm Unique p. 4 – 5 Good Friends, scene 3, 2011 1 channel video, iPad, 2 National Stadium ashtrays circa 18.5 x 24 x 18 cm Unique p. 6 – 7 Good Friends, scene 2, 2011 1 channel video, iPad, Buddha statue circa 18.5 x 24 x 13 cm Unique p. 8 – 9 Good Friends, scene 1, 2011 1 channel video, iPad, ceramic tea pot circa 21 x 28 x 24 cm Unique p. 10 – 11 Good Friends, scene 5, 2011 1 channel video, iPad, Chinese mask (girl) circa 25 x 36 x 35 cm Unique
p. 12 – 13 Light through persimmon tree, 2011 5 stained plywood panels, wire each panel: 180 x 80 cm Unique p. 14 – 15 Exhibition view The New World Joy Garden (first space) p. 16 – 17 Exhibition view The New World Joy Garden (second space) p. 18 – 19 Reality, 2011 Neon (red) 32 x 315 cm Unique Performance, 2011 Neon (blue) 39 x 550 cm Unique Back cover Exhibition view The New World Joy Garden (detail first space)
In the air Opium, 2011 Air humidifier, perfume “Opium” by Yves Saint Laurent Unique
This catalogue was published on the occasion of Isabell Heimerdinger’s exhibition The New World Joy Garden at Mehdi Chouakri Gallery, June 25 – July 30, 2011 Photographs by Jan Windszus, Berlin All works © Isabell Heimerdinger and courtesy Mehdi Chouakri Gallery 1000 copies, printed by Spree Druck, Berlin The New World Joy Garden is the fourth in a series of publications celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Mehdi Chouakri Gallery
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