Recipients of the ExtraVALUE Art Award 2017
For the second year running, Erste Bank awarded the ExtraVALUE Art Award to two artists whose work has been presented in das weisse haus and who have participated in the studio and residence programme of studio das weisse haus.
There are two awards:
One is connected to a one-month stay in New York and a presentation at the Austrian Cultural Forum located there from 28 June to 3 September 2017. The prize is realised in collaboration with studio das weisse haus and the Austrian Cultural Forum New York.
The second ExtraVALUE Art Award is combined with a solo exhibition in das weisse haus – anticipated in autumn/winter 2017/2018. das weisse haus is responsible for the supervision and implementation of this presentation.
Recipients 2017
© Karl Salzmann
KARL SALZMANN
Jury Statement:
The jury decided in favour of Karl Salzmann and his presentation concept, titled Monopulism, which uses several components to create a performative (sound) installation. The jury was convinced by the installation’s reference to the current political situation, as revealed in the fascinating metaphorical quality of the individual set pieces.
In a windowless exhibition space, the central placement of a Loudspeaker Monument summons the image of a totalitarian societal structure oriented on a voice. A bar at the entrance serves as a metaphor for shallow chitchat and for repression, as two robotic vacuum cleaners perform their function, in apparent acceptation of their subordinate role. Broken microphones represent the silencing of opposition voices, while the sounds of David Hasselhoff singing Looking for Freedom suggest an American dream that has drifted far afield. Even the apparent beauty of Salzmann’s pictorial works titled Detonation reveals itself within the context of the entire installation to be an immediately threatening force.
Given the post-factual, present-day USA, Karl Salzmann’s (sound) installation has particular relevance. In addition, it is, in general, a powerful statement on the themes of abuse of power, manipulation and repression.
KARL SALZMANN
Jury Statement:
The jury decided in favour of Karl Salzmann and his presentation concept, titled Monopulism, which uses several components to create a performative (sound) installation. The jury was convinced by the installation’s reference to the current political situation, as revealed in the fascinating metaphorical quality of the individual set pieces.
In a windowless exhibition space, the central placement of a Loudspeaker Monument summons the image of a totalitarian societal structure oriented on a voice. A bar at the entrance serves as a metaphor for shallow chitchat and for repression, as two robotic vacuum cleaners perform their function, in apparent acceptation of their subordinate role. Broken microphones represent the silencing of opposition voices, while the sounds of David Hasselhoff singing Looking for Freedom suggest an American dream that has drifted far afield. Even the apparent beauty of Salzmann’s pictorial works titled Detonation reveals itself within the context of the entire installation to be an immediately threatening force.
Given the post-factual, present-day USA, Karl Salzmann’s (sound) installation has particular relevance. In addition, it is, in general, a powerful statement on the themes of abuse of power, manipulation and repression.
© Karl Salzmann
© Marlena König
NIKA KUPYROVA
Jury Statement:
Upon the jury’s recommendation, the ExtraVALUE Art Award, which includes a solo exhibition in das weisse haus, was conferred to Nika Kupyrova. The examination of gestures and gestural action formulated in the artist’s concept will be developed according to the spatial situation in das weisse haus. The horizon of gestural activity ranges from children’s games to the kneading of dough to the conjuring of crystal balls, extending from innocent, ritualized gestures to functional and even manipulative action, and thus is related, in our day of do-it-yourselfism, to promises of salvation and reactionary escapism.
NIKA KUPYROVA
Jury Statement:
Upon the jury’s recommendation, the ExtraVALUE Art Award, which includes a solo exhibition in das weisse haus, was conferred to Nika Kupyrova. The examination of gestures and gestural action formulated in the artist’s concept will be developed according to the spatial situation in das weisse haus. The horizon of gestural activity ranges from children’s games to the kneading of dough to the conjuring of crystal balls, extending from innocent, ritualized gestures to functional and even manipulative action, and thus is related, in our day of do-it-yourselfism, to promises of salvation and reactionary escapism.
© Marlena König
Jury Members
Verena Gamper (curator, Kunsthalle Krems)
Christine Haupt-Stummer (manager, section.a)
Manisha Jothady (art critic)
Alexandra Grausam (director of das weisse haus and studio das weisse haus)
Moderation
Ruth Goubran (director of Erste Bank Sponsoring Programme)
Katja Stecher (project coordinator for studio das weisse haus)