BERNHARD MARTIN - Is it you looking for me

Œuvre

Un enchevêtrement de jambes masculines et féminines esquisse un banc d’inspiration surréaliste. Un mât supporte des panneaux d’indication contradictoires, symbolisant les diverses directions que nous sommes amenés à prendre au cours de notre vie, mais aussi les pièges et impasses dans lesquelles nous sommes susceptibles de nous égarer. Une corbeille à déchets s’élève non loin de là. Ces éléments épars sont comme le bureau d’un d’un écran d’ordinateur qui aurait surgi dans le monde réel. L’œuvre devient la métaphore de désirs contrariés par des obligations de toutes sortes, à commencer par l’aliénation que constitue une relation obsessionnelle au travail. L’amour à l’époque contemporaine est une chose bien compliquée lorsqu’on l’envisage, par exemple, à travers les écrits de Michel Houellebecq.

Parcours

Chaque œuvre de Bernhard Martin constitue une épineuse énigme. Des planètes voguent dans un ciel d’apocalypse et survolent des volcans en éruption dont les fumerolles délivrent des messages sympathiques. Des oiseaux et des insectes peuplent des paysages mélancoliques tandis qu’apparaissent ici ou là des fragments de corps, mêlés à des objets de consommation courante. Les tableaux, sculptures et performances de l’artiste allemand délivrent en effet de brillantes allégories sur des temps tourmentés, mais toujours par le biais d’un humour salvateur.

Texte choisi par l’artiste

Hello de Lionel Ritchie, 1983

Hello – I’ve been alone with you inside my mind – And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door – Hello, is it me you’re looking for? – I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile – You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and my arms are open wide – ‘Cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do – And I want to tell you so much, I love you – I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again how much I care – Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello, I’ve just got to let you know – ‘Cause I wonder where you are – And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you? – Tell me how to win your heart – For I haven’t got a clue
But let me start by saying, I love you – Hello, is it me you’re looking for? – ‘Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do – Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you? – Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven’t got a clue – But let me start by saying I love you

Work

A tangle of male and female legs outlines the form of a surrealistic bench. A mast supports signs with conflicting indications. A trash can is placed nearby. These scattered elements are like the life-sized desktop of a computer screen. The work becomes a metaphor for desires frustrated by all kinds of constraints, starting with the alienation of an obsessive relationship to work. Love in contemporary times is a very complicated thing when you look at it through the writings of Michel Houellebecq, for example.

Career

Each of Bernhard Martin’s works is a thorny enigma. The German artist’s paintings, sculptures and performances are brilliant allegories of troubled times, but always with the saving grace of humour.

Text chosen by the artist

Hello de Lionel Ritchie, 1983

Hello – I’ve been alone with you inside my mind – And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door – Hello, is it me you’re looking for? – I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile – You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and my arms are open wide – ‘Cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do – And I want to tell you so much, I love you – I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again how much I care – Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello, I’ve just got to let you know – ‘Cause I wonder where you are – And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you? – Tell me how to win your heart – For I haven’t got a clue
But let me start by saying, I love you – Hello, is it me you’re looking for? – ‘Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do – Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you? – Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven’t got a clue – But let me start by saying I love you

Obra

Un entresijo de piernas masculinas y femeninas esboza un banco de inspiración surrealista. Un mástil soporta paneles con indicaciones contradictorias; no muy lejos se alza una papelera con deshechos. Estos elementos esparcidos son como el despacho de una pantalla de ordenador que habría surgido del mundo real. La obra se convierte en la metáfora de los deseos contrariados por toda clase de obligaciones, comenzando por la alienación que constituye una relación obsesiva del trabajo. El amor en esta época contemporánea es algo muy complicado cuando, por ejemplo, se contempla a través de los escritos de Michel Houellebecq.

Curso

Cada obra de Bernhard Martin constituye un espinoso enigma. Los cuadros, las esculturas y performances del artista alemán, libran realmente brillantes alegorías acerca de tiempos atormentados, pero siempre por medio de un humor salvador.

Texto elegido por el artista

Hello de Lionel Ritchie, 1983

Hello – I’ve been alone with you inside my mind – And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door – Hello, is it me you’re looking for? – I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile – You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and my arms are open wide – ‘Cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do – And I want to tell you so much, I love you – I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again how much I care – Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello, I’ve just got to let you know – ‘Cause I wonder where you are – And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you? – Tell me how to win your heart – For I haven’t got a clue
But let me start by saying, I love you – Hello, is it me you’re looking for? – ‘Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do – Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you? – Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven’t got a clue – But let me start by saying I love you