Olaf Metzel
Subtitle: from the TV to the fridge
By: Kunstraum Innsbruck ; [Herausgeber, Karin Pernegger ; Übersetzung, Susie Hondl, Daniel Ostermann]
Contributors: Pernegger, Karin; Hondl, Susie; Ostermann, Daniel; Kunstraum Innsbruck
Publisher: Snoeck
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Köln
Language: ger; eng
Number of pages: 254
ISBN-13: 9783864421198
Subjects: German Art; Exhibitions
Description: The Kunstraum Innsbruck presents the first solo exhibition by the German artist Olaf Metzel (b. 1952) in Austria. Metzel made a name for himself with his interventions in public space, which in the form of very direct reactions reflect the political and social goings-on of their respective time. His works mirror the status quo of German society after the war. Early on in his career, he dealt mainly with the recent past of his country, such as the politics of the Senate in the still divided Berlin, Stammheim prison and the RAF, or the racism pervading politics and society. Metzel's artistic practice bears testimony to his radicalism, introducing destruction as an aesthetic programme into his sculpting technique. The concept of interaction with space, time and movement the artist translates in his sculptures into a direct dialogue with the observer, in order to let art literally participate in life, to let it grow out of life, as it were. Metzel understands his artistic impetus as a gesture from "below", aiming to create art that is not just for an elitist group. With his direct language, which he communicates immediately into public space, he deliberately steps across boundaries and provokes dialogue and protest.
Notes: Exhibition catalog.

Catalog of the exhibition "Olaf Metzel. Sozialtapete" held at the Kunstraum Innsbruck, February 6 - March 28, 2015.

Includes bibliographical references.

Parallel texts in German and English.