Alexander Gutke
Malmö Konsthall, Sweden
17 March - 10 June 2012
ALEXANDER GUTKE works within the conceptual and minimalist tradition. Cameras, film- and slide projectors are some of the main components in his art practice. Gutke uses them to explore space, light, shade, darkness and the infinity of the void. The swedish artist investigates these technical apparatuses as objects and mechanical devices, and uses them as tools and objects in his artworks and narrative – creating a visual illusionism and a poetic and mystical materialism.
ALEXANDER GUTKE
Exploded View, 2005
Kodak Carousel slide projector, 81 slides, stand
Courtesy of the artist and Malmö Konsthall
The cameras, 16mm film projectors and photographic devices that interests Gutke are somewhat out of date, but Gutke insists on the value of these 20th century wonders. He both examines and literally dissects these apparatuses and through the process he brings them back to life, to a new life. In 2005 Alexander Gutke produced the poetic work Exploded View, where the viewer visually travels through the inside of a Kodak Carousel slide projector slice by slice or slide by slide – over the course of 81 slides. This inner journey is shown on the same type of Kodak Carousel, whose interior is being explored. Even if the exhibition was sheduled before the Kodak Company news, the exhibition take a special meaning for the 1960s 1970s Kodak products lovers.
Another work that investigates a slide projector and what it does is Lighthouse (2006); here a rectangle of light is slowly rotated 360 degrees slide by slide. The lyricisms of light and the machines are important focal points in Gutke’s artworks.
ALEXANDER GUTKE
Cine-scope, 2008
Animation HD Video
Courtesy of the artist and Malmö Konsthall
In other works like the HD video projection Cine-scope (2008) Alexander Gutke investigates the film material itself and takes the viewer on a filmic trompe l'oeil voyage. Stripped from any image or narrative storyline this large-scale projection shows – through real and simulated animated dust, scratches and chafes – the materiality of film and the heart of celluloid; its wear, tears and flaws.
ALEXANDER GUTKE
Measure, 2011
Laser engraved brass Moebius strip
Courtesy of the artist and Malmö Konsthall
Photo © Marcus Schneider, Berlin, 2011
Alexander Gutke’s exhibition at Malmö Konsthall will present a selection of film, sculpture, photography and rubberstamp works dating back to 2000, side by side with new works created for this exhibition at Malmo Art museum.
ALEXANDER GUTKE
Subtraktion nr 4, 2008
Ink stamp on paper,
Photo: Sigfrid Carlsson, Bohusläns museum
Alexander Gutke, born 1971 in Gothenburg, lives and works in Malmö. He graduated from Malmö Art Academy in 2001.
Malmö Konsthall
S:t Johannesgatan 7
SE-200 10 Malmö, Sweden
