Format Exchange is an exchange project for young Asian and Eurasian artists initiated by collector Barbara Hunz and curator Julia Ritterskamp. Martina Köppel-Yang participates by inputting her knowledge in curating contemporary Chinese art. This non-profit project aims at supporting emerging artists by inviting them to exhibitions and residences in Düsseldorf and Paris. The first edition of the project presented at Asia Now features two artists: Düsseldorf-based Aljoscha and Paris-based Tian Dexi.
Aljoscha (born 1974), of Ukranian origin, is known for his ethereal ceiling installations. These organic looking objects, that seem to have crystallized in space, reflect the artist's attempt to explore the visual possibilities of synthetic biology and to develop a new aesthetics of future organic life. Based on the theories of bioism and bio-futurism, Aljoscha tries to create an aesthetic utopia.
Tian Dexi (born 1979), of Chinese origin, creates sculptures and installations from objects he finds on his walks through the Parisian suburbs. The artist understands himself as a collector of this kind of objects discarded by contemporary consumer society. The artist's approach is that of the poetic stroller, of the curious amateur. The result of his work are often humorous hybrids, playful, and intentionally accidental, a kind of composite poetry.
The second event of Format Exchange will be an exhibition of a Paris-based artist at Julia Ritterskamp's art space in Düsseldorf in 2021.
VIDEO: Format Exchange
Initiated by the collector Barbara Hunz, Martina Köppel-Yang and Julia Ritterskamp, "Format Exchange" is an exchange project for young French, Asian and world artis