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Samuel Vandervekens GUTE FAHRT, 7th December, 8 pm

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art space Demmeringstrasse 74

paitings: Berto Martinez, Samuel Vanderveken
Video: Fracasse Capitaine
 11 pm Dj: Oh Walter / båssamé / Miles won {5d}

This exhibition GUTE FAHRT  presents a selection of works Vandervekens created in Leipzig, which generate other  compositions trough a new combination Looking at the latest works by Belgian artist Samuel Vanderveken, the viewer does not stand in front of a usual canvas, but feels directly placed in the Lost Spaces of Leipzig. Some of his works  also recall the New York Street and Graffiti art of the 1980s. The ground is dirty and stained and reminds of walls  and surfaces of abandoned industrial ruins, unrendered architecture or worn facades. Vanderveken then disperses flashing  industrial colors without academically funded composition, one would think, but that's what makes the charm of the large pictures. Motifs refer directly to the intention of the artist to evoke the impression of broken canvas. Patches, spots, clips and raw craftsmanship of the canvas are a recurring motif inVanderveken’s work.

Since July 2012 Vanderveken takes part in the Leipzig International Art Programme (LIA). The artist residence in the area of the Spinnerei in Leipzig offers generous spaces for international artists to live and work. The new environment and the time that he could take in the atelier inspired Vanderveken to new ideas and to experiment a lot. In his art works he picks up certain impressions and ideas, which he has collected on the streets of Leipzig, in public places, bus stops, churches and abandoned places like industrial ruins. Main motives besides the graffitis are the covered patina roofs of the parish in Leipzig. Vanderveken photographed these places, then prepared color schemes and subsequently posed the question of a link between the colors of the city and those typically used in the Leipzig School. The outcome was a line-up of picturesque compositions, which is called Colours of Leipzig. In addition, as part of the autumn tour of the Spinnerei, his etching Für die Katz was displayed in collaboration with the renowned etching studio of Vlado Ondrej and Mary as a special edition. In summer Vanderveken presented a collection titled Viel Spaß in the rooms of the Spinnerei. The presented works arose in a short period, at the beginning of his stay in Leipzig. They are characterized by easiness and minimalism.

From his time in Belgium Vanderveken has produced an essay which bears the name Ladies and gentlemen, we are floating in space. The essay contains Vanderveken’s opinion of the meaning of life and the role of the artist. Furthermore it is about courage to truth, absurdity and irony. These issues are consistently expressed in his projects. For Vanderveken it is not so much about following a particular concept, than to be more concerned in the process of dealing with colors and materials, to engage in their dialogue and finally to be surprised of the outcome.

(Text: Oihane Schmutte und Maximilian Rauschenbach)