| Olaf
Quantius “Der Schatz im Silbersee”
Opening: Friday, September 10, 2004. 7 pm
Duration: September 11 through Oktober 16, 2004
Opening Hours: Tu - Sa 12 - 7 pm
The Treasure of the Silver
Sea is the title of Olaf Quantius' second solo exhibition at the
KUTTNER SIEBERT Galerie. The viewer acquires a feeling for Olaf
Quantius' work in the treasure trove of its unattainable nature.
With the interplay between abstraction and concreteness, the paintings
move from the visible to the suddenly invisible, from copious layers
of colour to the poetic presence of gentleness. Olaf Quantius' paintings
are nurtured by the vague moment, that fleeting glimpse of the corporeal
and its fading apparition. The non-figurative painting in this artist's
oeuvre is no exception, even though it steps beyond the barriers
of elusive concepts. The silver base in the paintings opens up an
undefined space, increased by the reflecting, cool surfaces, that
hinder access to what is being depicted.
The artist moves through a world of imagery in undefined regions
of time and space, driven by his memories. In this manner, a picture
like the "Gewächshaus" (Greenhouse) is inspired by
his grandfather's garden, in which "thanks to consistent work
and the climate of Sauerland, could produce both big cucumbers and
satisfaction." (O.Q.) However, it appears more secretive than
idyllic. Even in the artist's second perspective of the greenhouse,
the viewer is unable to penetrate within. Instead he/she is left
outside, acknowledging the scene as the setting for something hidden,
though imbued with life.
Equally vague is the depiction of the "Heuhaus" (Hay House).
In a sparse landscape insinuated with a few strokes of the brush,
its shape appears, barely detached from the similarly coloured silver
background. The impression of tranquillity is followed by a deceptive
peace. The place remains impenetrable and full of riddles.
In the picture "Gefesselte" (Captive) it is the contrast-rich
elaboration that exacerbates direct access to what is shown. Here
the diverse artistic approaches pile up to become one picture: light
strokes of the brush, which suggest parts of the body like the leg
of the captive or the hair of the woman lying on the ground, thin
coats of colour, which give plasticity to the body parts, and the
detailed representation of material in the silk clothing. Free from
its picture context, this detail could just as well be part of his
"Fleckenbilder" (Marks/Spots Picture), in which various
of such amorphous elements construct tense relationships.
The treasure of the Silver Sea in Karl May's story awakens feelings
of greed and violence, and brings disaster to whoever tries to acquire
it. Its value is incalculable. The fact that it exists seems more
important than to own it. Olaf Quantius' paintings also deny the
viewer a sense of acquisition. They are conceived by something secretive
and unfathomable, but which draws the eye and speaks of things beyond
the mind's grasp.
|
Exhibition
2003
Exhibition
2006
Exhibition
2008 |
