Beschreibung:

Franz West Platform (2 Paßstücke) 1998 Acrylic, plaster, papier-mâché and gauze in two parts, 2 wooden plinths, 1 wooden base. Paßstücke: 15 x 51 x 19 cm. (6 x 20 x 7 1/2 in). & 42 x 34 x 22 cm. (16 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 8 1/2 in).; base: 200 x 300 cm. (78 3/4 x 118 in).
Provenance Galerie Bärbel Grässlin, Frankfurt Exhibited Anvers, Openluchtmuseum voor Beeldhouwkunst Middelheim, Franz West 6 June - 16 August, 1998; Kunstverein Braunschweig, Franz West Sammlung,: Ich sammle Mich, 23 June - 19 August, 2001 Literature Exhibition catalogue, Openluchtmuseum voor Beeldhouwkunst Middelheim, Franz West Anvers, 1998, pp. 16, 37-38 (illustrated); Exhibition catalogue, Kunstverein Braunschweig, Franz West Sammlung,: Ich sammle Mich, Braunschweig, 2001, pp. 16-19 (illustrated) Catalogue Essay In the early 1970s, the young Austrian artist Franz West began to make small assemblage sculptures incorporating papier-mâché, plaster, polyester and bandage material that was wrapped around wire frames which he titled Paßstück, literally translating to 'adaptive.' West's intention with this body of work was, and still is today, that the viewer engage with, handle, the sculptures in order to fully experience their 'ergonomic' nature. In a humorous dig at the sacrilegious and violent Viennese Actionists, the early 'adapitves' from the 70s were part of performance works where the participants carried the sculptures as prosthetics in various poses, standing calmly, slightly bent or striding ahead. 'West's Adaptives almost work exploitations of the body, like superfluous organs; and therefore, they also have an element of the grotesque and the clown-like. Because of serious, conceptual artistic processes, West has an effect, like someone mimicking another person's gestures behind his back and making them look ridiciulous. Even the materials that he uses do not correspond to the canon of seriousness. The papier-mâché that West still regularly uses for sculptures is a provisional material that is applied not for durability, but for quick completion and spontaneous use.' (L. Seyfarth, Grotesque Doubles: Adaptives and 'Ealan's Desire' by Franz West in exhibition catalogue, Kunsthaus Bregenz, We'll not carry coals, Cologne, 2003, p. 33) Read More