Re_Opening Vent: Sync Event

MARLENE MAUTER & IVO RICK
Lange Gasse 2, 1080 Vienna

VENT gallery opens its second edition at a new venue.
SYNC displays works of Marlene Mautner and Ivo Rick.
The exhibition highlights artificial visions on cognitable futuristic forecasts, dealing with scientific use of knowledge and technique.

Ivo Ricks artwork begins – at an intersection – defying the obvious.
Many of his works are reminiscent of appliances that are meant to fulfill a purpose or a function. They exist in neutral to cream-colored white tones and are made of different assembly parts produced in series. They seem precise; their shape is modest; they look like design objects, appropriable art.
They simulate a function which makes perceiving them a balancing act and so their function is at first superfluous.
I have no interest in using these things. Their non-function is clear, not least because of them being in an art space. Nevertheless, I spiritually simulate a function triggered by its shape. I seek an analogy of the known –shape with the consequence of function.
Ultimately, my interest lies not in the simulation of use (which I am denied), but the shape itself, on account of it being reminiscent of functionality and therefore evoking familiarity, whilst at the same time denying it. The familiar has disposed of being banal, defying time and effort, i.e. use. Although these works are seemingly neutral and “cool”, this idea is highly romantic, because it conjures up ideas of mystic absolutism – meaning without function.
All function entails usage, wear and tear and the ultimate destruction thereof. The unspecific, non-functional object is therefore spared; it does not become an arena and maintains its perfection. (Jochen Meister)

​Marlene Mautner defines alternative approaches of dealing with natural science through various methods of observation.
She depicts clever staged sceneries, by combining various objects from different areas of ​​expertise, hereby assembling natural science and photography.
In her scientific artwork Mautner is questioning the constructions of reality; is it shaped by science or by language? One of her works explores mathematics by asking the question whether it is something we discovered or rather constructed in our brains.
Her photographic works are focused on translating visual language, by creating, transforming and integrating a new imagery of structure, geometry and colours.

We are happy, to reopen VENT gallery at Lange Gasse 2
in the 8th district of Vienna, cordially invited by
HASSMANN & liebfrau.

curated by
Manuela Hillmann
&
Philipp Pess