Recipients of the ExtraVALUE Art Award 2018
For the third 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.
Since their launch in 2016, two awards are presented: The ExtraVALUE Art Award carries with it a prize money of 3.000 euros, including a one-month stay in New York and a presentation at the Austrian Cultural Forum New York (ACFNY) from 20.06 to 03.09.2018 . The main goal of the residency is for it to be used as a source of inspiration, as well as to establish new contacts and expand his/her network. Furthermore, the presentation at the ACFNY should enhance the artists’ presence internationally.
The ExtraVALUE Art Recognition Award is endowed with 1.500 euros and accompanied by solo exhibition in das weisse haus, prospectively in September/October 2018. das weisse haus is responsible for the supervision and implementation of this presentation.
Recipients 2018
ExtraVALUE Art Award
MARIT WOLTERS
Jury Statement
The jury decided in favour of Marit Wolters and her presentation concept, titled "Everything that is solid dissolves into air", which provides a fragile construction of a multitude of structural steel connected by a reef knot in the style of traditional Japanese scaffolding. The unstable structure that oscillates between sculpture and architecture is complemented by a series of compact concrete casts, the net-like surface design of which refers to topographical maps. Likewise, the video "strip" contrasts with the permeable structure of the expansive installation by showing an endless sequence of blue construction site walls. Due to their massive construction, they obstruct the view onto the working processes, which are only perceptible through the noise.
The reference to the planned installation on the sociopolitical challenges of the present, such as the exchange of goods, capital and services as well as the free or forced deployment of people, has convinced the jury. Marit Wolters’ construction of architectural elements serves as a metaphor for this fragile economic and social framework within a globalized world.
Photo © Thomas Meyer
ExtraVALUE Art Recognition Award
JULIA GAISBACHER
ExtraVALUE Art Recognition Award
JULIA GAISBACHER
Jury Statement
On the recommendation of the jury, the ExtraVALUE Art Recognition Award will be presented to Julia Gaisbacher and her exhibition proposal "One Day You Will Miss Me" which is part of an ongoing project which critically engages with a current city development project in Belgrade. The artist documents the different construction phases in her photographs and refers with further works to the neoliberal application and marketing logic of this so called “Waterfront Project”.
Above all, the well-founded research, which is based on critical media reports and discussions with supporters of the protest movement, was particularly impressive. The project uses Belgrade as an example to deal with the corrupt real estate business, in which quite often – and all over the world –members of the government are involved. Moreover, it points to prevailing asymmetries when such large-scale projects occur for an emerging middle class and investors from abroad, while socially disadvantaged urban residents are forcibly pushed out to the fringes.
Jury Members
Viktor Bucher (Galerist)
Axel Köhne (Curator Belvedere 21)
Gabriele Schor (Chief-Curator Sammlung Verbund)
Margot Pilz (Artist)
Moderation
Ruth Goubran (director of Erste Bank Sponsoring Programme)
Katja Stecher (project coordinator for studio das weisse haus)