BERND LOHAUS
A combination of sober, massive, and sculptural forms, described with enigmatic and powerful linguistic fragments, has been the basis of Bernd Lohaus’s (1940–2010) work for many years. He has been building a very coherent body of work for decades. He trained at the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts between 1960 and 1967, where he benefited from the teachings of Joseph Beuys, one of the leading figures in contemporary European art. Over the years, Lohaus has built up a strong international reputation.
The physical and mental work required to set up and configure heavy wooden elements is an essential aspect of Lohaus’s work. A physical force is created between the chosen material and the artist himself. The literal, human “manipulation” of the elements of a sculpture is no longer possible: the installation of the works becomes, in the construction of the exhibition itself, a social event that requires reflection, hesitation, and mechanical skill. The interlocking of extremely heavy beams above or next to each other to create an open, accessible sculpture that can even be entered combines the artist’s artistic, philosophical, and intuitive intentions with the limitations of the exhibition spaces. The sculpture thus increasingly becomes a place.
His work is represented in numerous public and international collections. It was recently featured in the Pinault Collection during the 2016 exhibition “Accrochage” at the Punta della Dogana (Venice).
Text courtesy Galerie Bernard Bouche.
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