jay rechsteiner


home
      artworks       statement &  cv          contact
...............................................................................................................................................................................................

 

German-Chinese Fest

My sculptural installations – 'arrangements of things' - exist at the instersection of sculpture, audio/video, conceptual and performance art. The main aspect of the work are objects that I carefully select for each installment which are often ephemeral and in-situ in nature. I believe that objects incapsulate a very personal history and are intrinsically linked to their (previous and/or current) owner(s). Such objects are arranged with great care within a framework that consists of (sometime dismanteled & altered) furniture and containers etc. in order to create aesthetically and conceptually interesting and meaningful structures and patterns. Besides objects I also use video and audio footage as well as interactive elements as I want the visitors to actively engage with my work.

The work falls into the same category as the installations by American artist Sarah Sze or even Swiss artist Thomas Hirschhorn. I would like to place myself between the two artists in terms of the way I work and the conceptual background. As for Sarah Sze structure and patterns are essential to me as well but I also incorporate a certain (mathematical & symbolic) chaos into my work.

As with all my new work I have been creating since the beginning of 2014 my main personal focus is the reduction of my own ego which I don't want appear as the predomant aspect. I want the work to be about the work as I believe that good art is NEVER about the artist. (This is my personal opinion.)

As for the title of the series – German-Chinese Fest – there is no particular reason for it other than a symbol for coming-together, union. The work has nothing to do with China nor Germany. It is however a sort of fest, the coming-together of objects and structures.

 

Work #1: Beach Holiday all inclusive - the new world, souvenirs, plans, cortisone and Fried Premier Chicken

location: Villa Renata, Basel, Switzerland
date: 01 June 2014

German-Chinese Fest, installation at Villa Renata, Basel by Jay Rechsteiner

German-Chinese Fest, installation at Villa Renata, Basel by Jay Rechsteiner     German-Chinese Fest, installation at Villa Renata, Basel by Jay Rechsteiner

German-Chinese Fest, installation at Villa Renata, Basel by Jay Rechsteiner     German-Chinese Fest, installation at Villa Renata, Basel by Jay Rechsteiner

German-Chinese Fest, installation at Villa Renata, Basel by Jay Rechsteiner

 

Work #2: Static army, believers and working structure

location: barn in Lugnez, Jura, Switzerland
date: 09 - 10 June 2014

Static army, believers and working structure installation, Jura by Jay Rechsteiner

Static army, believers and working structure installation, Jura by Jay Rechsteiner    Static army, believers and working structure installation, Jura by Jay Rechsteiner

Static army, believers and working structure installation, Jura by Jay Rechsteiner

more photos:

 

     

 

 

 

Copyright © 2015, Jay Rechsteiner. All Rights Reserved.