Delving into the Sinister Sealant-Based Art: Where Things Seem Alive
If you're planning washroom remodeling, it's advisable not to choose hiring the sculptor for such tasks.
Indeed, Herfeldt is highly skilled in handling foam materials, crafting compelling creations from this unlikely substance. However the more examine these pieces, the stronger one notices a certain aspect feels slightly unnerving.
Those hefty strands from the foam she crafts reach past the shelves supporting them, drooping downwards towards the floor. Those twisted silicone strands expand before bursting open. Certain pieces break free from their acrylic glass box homes entirely, evolving into a magnet for grime and particles. One could imagine the feedback would not be positive.
There are moments I feel this sense that objects seem animated inside an area,” states the sculptor. “That’s why I started using this substance as it offers this very bodily texture and feeling.”
Indeed one can detect somewhat grotesque about Herfeldt’s work, starting with the phallic bulge which extends, hernia-like, off its base at the exhibition's heart, or the gut-like spirals from the material which split open resembling bodily failures. Displayed nearby, are mounted images of the works captured in multiple views: resembling wormy parasites picked up on a microscope, or growths on culture plates.
I am fascinated by is how certain elements inside human forms happening that also have their own life,” she says. “Things that are invisible or manage.”
Regarding unmanageable factors, the exhibition advertisement promoting the event displays a photograph of water damage overhead within her workspace located in Berlin. The building had been built in the early 1970s and according to her, was quickly despised from residents since many older edifices were removed for its development. It was already run-down as the artist – a native of that city yet raised north of Hamburg prior to moving to the capital in her youth – began using the space.
This deteriorating space caused issues for the artist – placing artworks was difficult her art works without concern they might be damaged – yet it also proved fascinating. Lacking architectural drawings accessible, it was unclear the way to fix the problems that arose. After a part of the roof at the artist's area got thoroughly soaked it collapsed entirely, the sole fix was to replace it with another – and so the cycle continued.
In a different area, Herfeldt says the leaking was so bad that several shower basins got placed within the drop ceiling to channel leaks to another outlet.
It dawned on me that the structure acted as a physical form, an entirely malfunctioning system,” she says.
The situation brought to mind Dark Star, the director's first cinematic piece concerning a conscious ship which becomes autonomous. As the exhibition's title suggests through the heading – three distinct names – more movies have inspired shaping Herfeldt’s show. The three names point to the female protagonists in Friday 13th, the iconic thriller plus the sci-fi hit respectively. Herfeldt cites a critical analysis written by Carol J Clover, which identifies the last women standing an original movie concept – women left alone to save the day.
They often display toughness, rather quiet and they endure thanks to resourcefulness,” the artist explains about such characters. No drug use occurs or have sex. Regardless the audience's identity, we can all identify with the survivor.”
The artist identifies a parallel from these protagonists and her sculptures – objects which only maintaining position amidst stress affecting them. Does this mean the art really concerning societal collapse beyond merely water damage? Similar to various systems, substances like silicone that should seal and protect us from damage in fact are decaying in our environment.
“Absolutely,” she confirms.
Before finding inspiration in the silicone gun, she experimented with alternative odd mediums. Recent shows included tongue-like shapes crafted from a synthetic material typical for within outdoor gear or in coats. Once more, there's the impression such unusual creations seem lifelike – certain pieces are folded as insects in motion, pieces hang loosely from walls blocking passages attracting dirt from footprints (Herfeldt encourages audiences to interact leaving marks on pieces). Similar to the foam artworks, these nylon creations also occupy – and escaping from – cheap looking transparent cases. These are unattractive objects, and that's the essence.
“These works possess a specific look which makes one compelled by, and at the same time being quite repulsive,” Herfeldt remarks with a smile. “It tries to be not there, but it’s actually very present.”
Herfeldt's goal isn't work to make you feel comfortable or visual calm. Instead, she wants you to feel uncomfortable, strange, perhaps entertained. But if you start to feel water droplets on your head additionally, consider yourself the alert was given.