Unveiling Lisa Herfeldt's Unsettling Sealant-Based Artistry: In Which Objects Seem Animated
If you're planning restroom upgrades, it's advisable to avoid hiring the sculptor for the job.
Truly, Herfeldt is an expert with a silicone gun, creating fascinating artworks with a surprising art material. However the more observe the artworks, the more it becomes apparent that an element feels slightly off.
Those hefty strands made of silicone she crafts extend beyond the shelves supporting them, drooping downwards to the ground. Those twisted silicone strands expand till they rupture. A few artworks break free from the display cases fully, evolving into a magnet of debris and fibers. One could imagine the reviews are unlikely to earn positive.
There are moments I feel an impression that items seem animated in a room,” says the sculptor. “That’s why I came to use this substance because it has such an organic feel and appearance.”
In fact one can detect somewhat grotesque about these sculptures, including the phallic bulge jutting out, similar to a rupture, from the support at the exhibition's heart, and the winding tubes of foam that burst like medical emergencies. Displayed nearby, are mounted prints showing the pieces viewed from different angles: they look like microscopic invaders observed under magnification, or growths on a petri-dish.
What captivates me is the idea in our bodies taking place that also have independent existence,” she says. Elements that are invisible or manage.”
On the subject of elements beyond her influence, the poster for the show includes a picture of water damage overhead at her creative space in Kreuzberg, Berlin. Constructed erected decades ago and according to her, was quickly despised among the community because a lot of historic structures got demolished for its development. By the time run-down when Herfeldt – who was born in Munich although she spent her youth in northern Germany prior to moving to the capital during her teens – moved in.
The rundown building was frustrating for her work – she couldn’t hang her art works anxiously risk of ruin – however, it was compelling. With no building plans on hand, nobody had a clue methods to address the malfunctions which occurred. Once an overhead section at the artist's area became so sodden it gave way completely, the sole fix was to replace the damaged part – and so the cycle continued.
In a different area, Herfeldt says the water intrusion was severe that a series of shower basins were set up above the false roof in order to redirect leaks to another outlet.
It dawned on me that the structure was like a body, an entirely malfunctioning system,” the artist comments.
These conditions reminded her of Dark Star, the initial work movie from the seventies about an AI-powered spacecraft that develops independence. Additionally, observers may note through the heading – Alice, Laurie & Ripley – more movies have inspired to have influenced the artist's presentation. These titles indicate the leading women from a horror classic, another scary movie plus the sci-fi hit as listed. The artist references a 1987 essay written by Carol J Clover, outlining these “final girls” as a unique film trope – protagonists by themselves to save the day.
“She’s a bit tomboyish, reserved in nature and they endure thanks to resourcefulness,” the artist explains of the archetypal final girl. They avoid substances or have sex. And it doesn’t matter the viewer’s gender, everyone can relate to this character.”
The artist identifies a connection from these protagonists and her sculptures – things that are just about staying put despite the pressures they’re under. So is her work focused on cultural decay beyond merely leaky ceilings? As with many structures, these materials intended to secure and shield us from damage in fact are decaying in our environment.
“Completely,” responds the artist.
Prior to discovering her medium using foam materials, Herfeldt used alternative odd mediums. Previous exhibitions included forms resembling tongues crafted from a synthetic material typical for within outdoor gear or apparel lining. Similarly, one finds the impression such unusual creations might animate – some are concertinaed resembling moving larvae, some droop heavily from walls or spill across doorways attracting dirt from footprints (The artist invites viewers to touch and soil the works). Like the silicone sculptures, the textile works are similarly displayed in – and breaking out of – inexpensive-seeming transparent cases. They’re ugly looking things, and really that’s the point.
“They have a particular style that draws viewers very attracted to, and at the same time they’re very disgusting,” she says amusedly. “It attempts to seem not there, but it’s actually highly noticeable.”
Herfeldt's goal isn't art to provide relaxation or aesthetically soothed. Rather, she wants you to feel discomfort, odd, or even humor. But if you start to feel a moist sensation on your head too, consider yourself this was foreshadowed.