Description
By (author) FARQUHARSON A
Short /annotation
The first major monograph on the pre-eminent German sculptor.
Isa Genzken (b. 1948) is one of Germany’s most prominent artists. She is best known for her architectural sculptures that combine a Minimal aesthetic with the bright colours and synthetic materials of Modernist architecture. Her hybrid, colourful mini-skyscrapers combine mirrored sheets, fluorescent plastic, glass and concrete. She first began exhibiting in the 1970s and has exhibited at The Renaissance Society in Chicago (1989) and Documenta 7 (1982), 9 (1992) and 11 (2002) in Kassel, Germany, among many other prestigious venues.
Genzken’s work is represented by Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Neven-DuMont-Str. 17, Cologne 50667, Germany, post and David Zwirner Gallery, 525 W 19th Street, New York, NY 10011, USA, angela
Table of contents
Interview – In her discussion with Diedrich Diedrichsen the artist considers her relationship to the many sources behind her work: Minimal sculpture, modernist architecture, Conceptual art, and other multi-media artists” practices, such as Bruce Nauman”s; Survey – Alex Farquharson examines the two principal themes in Genzken”s work, Modernism and her commentary on current socio-political circumstances, since her now-legendary first exhibition in Berlin whilst still a student of Gerhard Richter; Focus – Sabine Breitwieser looks at Genzken”s little known ”Hi-Fi” series of photographic works centring on magazine advertisements for stereo equipment; Artist”s Choice (tbc) – Artist”s Writings – Excerpts of interviews with fellow artists, and an essay on gender by the artist; Chronology and Bibliography
Review quote
On the Contemporary Artists Series
“The boldest, best executed, and most far-reaching publishing project devoted to contemporary art. These books will revolutionize the way contemporary art is presented and written about.”—Artforum
“The combination of intelligent analysis, personal insight, useful facts and plentiful pictures is a superb format invaluable for specialists but also interesting for casual readers, it makes these books a must for the library of anyone who cares about contemporary art.”—Time Out
“A unique series of informative monographs on individual artists.”—The Sunday Times
“Gives the reader the impression of a personal encounter with the artists. Apart from the writing which is lucid and illuminating, it is undoubtedly the wealth of lavish illustrations which makes looking at these books a satisfying entertainment.”—The Art Book
Biographical note
Alex Farquharson is an independent curator and critic based in London. He co-curated the British Art Show 6 (Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol, 2005-6) and is a Tutor on the Curating Contemporary Art MA course at the Royal College of Art in London. His writings have been published widely in catalogues and art journals, including Frieze, Artforum and Art Monthly.
Diedrich Diederichsen is the critic most closely associated with Isa Genzken, and the world expert on her work. Noted for his writings on pop music, theatre, cinema and political issues as well as art, Diederichsen’s texts have appeared in Artforum and Artscribe, among other journals.
Sabine Breitwieser is a noted curator as well as the founding Director of the Generali Foundation, based in Vienna, for which she has established a renowned collection of contemporary art and curated numerous exhibitions, including a 1996 retrospective devoted to the work of Isa Genzken.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.