WALK THE LINE
10 December 2021 - 28 February 2022
Nadja Adelmann
Fausto Amundarain
Jennifer Bannert
Claudia Barthoi
Monika Brandmeier
Artjom Chepovetskyy
Katharina Hinsberg
Mathias Kessler
Martina Kügler
Rafael Rangel
Herbert Warmuth
Daniela Wesenberg
Winter / Hoerbelt
Hendrik Zimmer
In modernism, artists such as Paul Klee, Alexander Rodchenko, and Wassily Kandinsky began to work with and explore the essence of the line, analyzing the relationship between point, line, and surface, as well as the potential expressive power of lines, thus uncovering a new universe of artistic expression. As a result, those interested in art learned that lines could also be considered detached from their function as form-givers by focusing on their expressive potential.
As Dr. Anett Göthe noted in a lecture, Klee conceded to the line “expression, dynamics, and psyche,“ while Kandinsky in his treatise “Point and Line to Surface“ clarifies that the line is more than a boundary of surface and emphasizes the dynamism inherent in the line itself. These fundamental thoughts on the line championed by pivotal figures of the avant-garde continue to inspire generations of artists to this day.
The exhibition Walk the Line showcases 13 international artistic positions, impressively demonstrating how multifaceted contemporary artists approach the possibilities of the line today. They all take a sensual and haptic approach to one of the most essential design elements in the fine arts. Even though lines are closely related to drawing, the exhibition includes other works on paper, collages, paintings, and sculptures.
In compiling the artists‘ positions, we have taken Rodchenko‘s ideas on the line into consideration and have attempted to emphasize its expressive diversity in the exhibition. Thus, in the show, expressive lines appear next to reduced ones, figure-forming ones next to freely moving ones, straight lines next to curved ones. These lines open our eyes to shapes and structures, space and light, rhythm and movement, but also to all that lies in between and beyond.
