Erwin Wurm
Encyclopedia
Erwin Wurm is an Austrian artist born in Bruck an der Mur / Styria. He currently lives and works in Vienna and Limburg, Austria.
Since the late 1980s he has developed an ongoing series of "One Minute Sculptures", in which he poses himself or his models in unexpected relationships with everyday objects close at hand, prompting the viewer to question the very definition of sculpture
. He seeks to use the "shortest path" in creating a sculpture — a clear and fast, sometimes humorous, form of expression. As the sculptures are fleeting and meant to be spontaneous and temporary, the images are only captured in photos or on film.
In The artist who swallowed the world (Hatje Cantz) Wurm is quoted as saying: "I am interested in the everyday life. All the materials that surrounded me could be useful, as well as the objects, topics involved in contemporary society. My work speaks about the whole entity of a human being: the physical, the spiritual, the psychological and the political."
Erwin Wurm is known for his humorous approach to formalism. About the use of humor in his work, Wurm says in an interview: "If you approach things with a sense of humor, people immediately assume you're not to be taken seriously. But I think truths about society and human existence can be approached in different ways. You don't always have to be deadly serious. Sarcasm and humor can help you see things in a lighter vein."
He is mentioned in the Red Hot Chili Peppers
music video "Can't Stop", in which a sign states that his art was an inspiration for the video. In a recent iTunes
interview Flea
is quoted as saying Wurm's picture of a man with a pencil in his nose was a significant influence on the video (Flea himself appears in the video, at a certain point, with markers in his nostrils, pencils in his ears and paint pot caps over his eyes). The photos in "One Minute Sculptures" were impulsively made and are quite bizarre
.
Most recently, Erwin Wurm has worked on a series of "fat car" sculptures which are "puffy, obese, life-size sculptures that bulge like overfilled sacks". The first of his Fat Cars was developed with Opel designers but they were unsuccessful in achieving the kind of shape that Wurm had in mind. In order to create the quality of fat, the artist uses polyurethane foam and styrofoam covered with lacquer.
Erwin Wurm's works are a part of prestigious collections worldwide, including Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, The Walker Art Center, Museum Ludwig, Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, Musee d’Art Contemporain de Lyon, and the Centre Pompidou.
Since the late 1980s he has developed an ongoing series of "One Minute Sculptures", in which he poses himself or his models in unexpected relationships with everyday objects close at hand, prompting the viewer to question the very definition of sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
. He seeks to use the "shortest path" in creating a sculpture — a clear and fast, sometimes humorous, form of expression. As the sculptures are fleeting and meant to be spontaneous and temporary, the images are only captured in photos or on film.
In The artist who swallowed the world (Hatje Cantz) Wurm is quoted as saying: "I am interested in the everyday life. All the materials that surrounded me could be useful, as well as the objects, topics involved in contemporary society. My work speaks about the whole entity of a human being: the physical, the spiritual, the psychological and the political."
Erwin Wurm is known for his humorous approach to formalism. About the use of humor in his work, Wurm says in an interview: "If you approach things with a sense of humor, people immediately assume you're not to be taken seriously. But I think truths about society and human existence can be approached in different ways. You don't always have to be deadly serious. Sarcasm and humor can help you see things in a lighter vein."
He is mentioned in the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
music video "Can't Stop", in which a sign states that his art was an inspiration for the video. In a recent iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
interview Flea
Flea (musician)
Michael Peter Balzary , better known by his stage name Flea, is an Australian-American musician and occasional actor. He is best known as the bassist, co-founding member, and one of the composers of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers...
is quoted as saying Wurm's picture of a man with a pencil in his nose was a significant influence on the video (Flea himself appears in the video, at a certain point, with markers in his nostrils, pencils in his ears and paint pot caps over his eyes). The photos in "One Minute Sculptures" were impulsively made and are quite bizarre
Bizarre
Bizarre may refer to:*Bizarre , solo rapper as well as member of the group D12*Bizarre , Spanish rock band*Bizarre , a Canadian sketch comedy television series...
.
Most recently, Erwin Wurm has worked on a series of "fat car" sculptures which are "puffy, obese, life-size sculptures that bulge like overfilled sacks". The first of his Fat Cars was developed with Opel designers but they were unsuccessful in achieving the kind of shape that Wurm had in mind. In order to create the quality of fat, the artist uses polyurethane foam and styrofoam covered with lacquer.
Erwin Wurm's works are a part of prestigious collections worldwide, including Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, The Walker Art Center, Museum Ludwig, Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, Musee d’Art Contemporain de Lyon, and the Centre Pompidou.
External links
- Official Website
- erwinwurm.com Website about Erwin Wurm and his work
- Video Interview on SubmarineChannel, recorded on 2007-09-06
- Erwin Wurm at Xavier HufkensXavier HufkensXavier Hufkens is a European gallery owner and dealer in contemporary art. Since its founding in 1987, his gallery has been committed to the long term representation of established, mid-career and emerging artists. The gallery deals in a combination of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography,...
, Brussels - Artnet: Erwin Wurm
- MCA Sydney, Australia: Erwin Wurm
- Erwin Wurm: Greatest Human Being Who Ever Lived
- Erwin Wurm
- Lehmann Maupin Gallery