Puderdöschen
14 September – 31 October, 2000

Exhibition

Opening reception September 14th 6-8pm

Spencer Brownstone Gallery is pleased to announce a solo exhibition of German artist Bernhard Martin. The exhibition is an installation of three armoires or walk-in-closets. They could also be described in the historic term of wunderkammern (miracle chambers). At first glance, there appears to be nothing unusual about the household item, but as soon as the door is opened a surprising, artificial world emerges. The closets are designed for an individual experience of three different settings: a disco, a beach and a table-dance. The closets explore the alienation of emotions within public spaces and, ironically, provide a room for enjoyment and entertainment. The title of the show Puderdöschen is the German word for a small powder-compact, and chosen because it is an object for individual use, a box that opens with an element of surprise which always contains a mirror thus, emphasizing the solo experience.
The three closets are Single Disco (Whisper Club), Private Beach, and Kings Corner. A special version of Single Disco was recently purchased by Hugo Boss Art Collection and will be on display for their grand opening. Spencer Brownstone Gallery will be exhibiting all three works together for the first time. The exhibition is done in collaboration with Voges + Deisen Gallery, Frankfurt, Germany.

Artist Bio

Bernhard Martin was seen as a wunderkind, who entered the art academy at the young age of 17 for painting and drawing. Aside from these, Martin uses many techniques including crafts and carpentry in his sculptures and art objects. Bernhard Martin describes the reason for his multi-faceted work as a need to discover and create what is lacking. He often says: what I need I make for myself. In 1999, Bernhard Martin became an associate professor at the Art Academy in Nuremberg. His work has been exhibited in major museums: Museé d'Art Moderne (Paris), Fridericianum (Kassel), Künstlerhaus Bethanien (Berlin) and Kunsthalle (Hamburg).