On Tables!
Masterpieces from the Ludwig Collection from Antiquity to Picasso, from Dürer to Demand
21 June - 30 September 2010
In this unusual presentation, Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen shows an extensive exhibition focusing on the artistic approach to the table as a theme of art, within the framework of the year of the Capital of Culture 2010. Internationally based, highly qualitative pieces from the collection of Peter and Irene Ludwig form the starting point. A panopticon of tables unfolds unusual perspectives. Antique vessels, medieval (altar) tables and still lives from the 17th century are confronted with tendencies from the 20th and 21st centuries. Together, next to and against each other, the positions provide evidence of widely differing approaches. Culturally historic investigations into table culture do not take place but rather a rendering visible of inner contexts, that on the surface at least often present us with highly diverse appearances.
The table as an everyday object serves here for the first time as a medium for the presentation of artistic approaches that sometimes avail us of wide distances and at other times with surprising proximities. While the chair is and has always been a supreme object of design, the table on the other hand tends to assume a more servile, incidental role. And yet it gathers much around it and indeed on top of it. The still life is the only genre that has given the table a leading role. Apart from that it is perhaps in particular the sense of casualness in its presence that serves to emphasise its existence. This is the first time that an exhibition has been dedicated to the theme of the table in a cross-genre fashion, and with the help of masterpieces from the Ludwig Collection embarks on a search for inner structure and the essence of fundamental possibilities.
The array of exponents ranges from decorative, finely worked porcelain tableware from the Ludwig Collection to Renato Guttoso's Funerary Banquet that draws its inspiration from Picasso and his world. Campbell soup cans belong on the table as much as the large antique Skyphos and the Attic eye bowl. Ritual activities (altar tables) are part of the exhibition as are general, everyday aspects. David Hockney allows us a glimpse of his studio, and Albrecht Dürer presents us with the study chamber of Saint Jerome.
Not all tables however are well laid, as displayed by the triad of Joseph de Bray's fasting still life from 1657 acclaiming pickled herring, Picasso's Simple Feast from 1904 and Günter Weseler's Table with Object for Breathing from the 1970's. And the exhibition also eminently demonstrates the harmonious unison of historical cutlery with New Objectivity photography.
'On Tables' is the exhibition of art and as such the primary exhibition of the Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen for the Ruhr Capital of Culture 2010.
Der Eros der Nasen / The Eros of Noses
Comics by Ralf König
20 September 2009 - 31 January 2010
Big, knobbly, potato-like noses or Knollennasen are his hallmark, and the observing of (homo)erotic togetherness his content: Ralf König (*drum rolls, fanfare*) presents original drawings from his graphic stories in Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen.
Ludwig Galerie is home to his first major, comprehensive exhibition. The recipient of international awards (his comics have been translated into 15 languages), his work is now the subject of an overview of his creative output with a major show of original art.
'Most desired men' and 'Pretty babies ' frolic through his narratives, making Ralf König not only the most important German comic artist but also one of the most distinguished popular figures of the gay scene.
Born in 1960 in Westphalia near Soest, he grew up in Catholic surroundings, was keen on telling stories as a child, became a carpenter and then studied at the Art Academy in Düsseldorf. 'Der bewegte Mann' (int. title 'Most desired man') in 1996 established his wider popularity with an increasingly heterosexual public. His comic art has been filmed and also successfully presented in the form of puppet theatre. König has repeatedly reverted to classic literary sources of inspiration such as 'Lysistrata', freely adapted from Aristophanes, or 'Jago', loosely based on Shakespeare. In 'Kondom des Grauens' (int. title 'Killer condom') he parodies the figure of the sleuth Philipp Marlowe. He also approaches the theme of Aids in the form of Superparadise Nebenwirkungen (Superparadise side-effects). And he packaged his own (short) biography into a cheekily drawn comic in 1993 with aplomb.
In his two latest books 'Prototyp' and 'Archetyp' he affords an insight into the potato-nosed story of the Creation as well as the goings on in Noah's Ark. He tackles the theme of religion and the Bible in his own highly unconventional manner. He has expressed himself critically to the Islamic cartoon controversy and has taken a stand for the general freedom of opinion and the press. For his stance he was awarded the Max-and-Moritz Prize in Erlangen in 2006. His position on the advisory committee of the Giordano-Bruno Foundation also demonstrates his dedication to a peaceful and equal co-existence for mankind.
As well as his comic strips, large-format works from Ralf König are also shown, many of which were created especially for the Oberhausen exhibition. The show, enabling the Ludwig Galerie to underline and further increase its importance as a central exhibition location for the comic and caricature genre, promises exciting insights into the (erotic) world of the noses. Ralf König is on-site in person on a number of occasions (see the calendar), allowing his fans to get to know him in real life.
On Tables! Masterpieces from the Ludwig Collection from Antiquity to Picasso, from Dürer to Demand
On Tables!
Masterpieces from the Ludwig Collection from Antiquity to Picasso, from Dürer to Demand
21 June - 30 September 2010
In this unusual presentation, Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen shows an extensive exhibition focusing on the artistic approach to the table as a theme of art, within the framework of the year of the Capital of Culture 2010. Internationally based, highly qualitative pieces from the collection of Peter and Irene Ludwig form the starting point. A panopticon of tables unfolds unusual perspectives. Antique vessels, medieval (altar) tables and still lives from the 17th century are confronted with tendencies from the 20th and 21st centuries. Together, next to and against each other, the positions provide evidence of widely differing approaches. Culturally historic investigations into table culture do not take place but rather a rendering visible of inner contexts, that on the surface at least often present us with highly diverse appearances.
The table as an everyday object serves here for the first time as a medium for the presentation of artistic approaches that sometimes avail us of wide distances and at other times with surprising proximities. While the chair is and has always been a supreme object of design, the table on the other hand tends to assume a more servile, incidental role. And yet it gathers much around it and indeed on top of it. The still life is the only genre that has given the table a leading role. Apart from that it is perhaps in particular the sense of casualness in its presence that serves to emphasise its existence. This is the first time that an exhibition has been dedicated to the theme of the table in a cross-genre fashion, and with the help of masterpieces from the Ludwig Collection embarks on a search for inner structure and the essence of fundamental possibilities.
The array of exponents ranges from decorative, finely worked porcelain tableware from the Ludwig Collection to Renato Guttoso's Funerary Banquet that draws its inspiration from Picasso and his world. Campbell soup cans belong on the table as much as the large antique Skyphos and the Attic eye bowl. Ritual activities (altar tables) are part of the exhibition as are general, everyday aspects. David Hockney allows us a glimpse of his studio, and Albrecht Dürer presents us with the study chamber of Saint Jerome.
Not all tables however are well laid, as displayed by the triad of Joseph de Bray's fasting still life from 1657 acclaiming pickled herring, Picasso's Simple Feast from 1904 and Günter Weseler's Table with Object for Breathing from the 1970's. And the exhibition also eminently demonstrates the harmonious unison of historical cutlery with New Objectivity photography.
'On Tables' is the exhibition of art and as such the primary exhibition of the Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen for the Ruhr Capital of Culture 2010.
The Eros of Noses - Comics by Ralf König
Der Eros der Nasen / The Eros of Noses
Comics by Ralf König
20 September 2009 - 31 January 2010
Big, knobbly, potato-like noses or Knollennasen are his hallmark, and the observing of (homo)erotic togetherness his content: Ralf König (*drum rolls, fanfare*) presents original drawings from his graphic stories in Ludwig Galerie Schloss Oberhausen.
Ludwig Galerie is home to his first major, comprehensive exhibition. The recipient of international awards (his comics have been translated into 15 languages), his work is now the subject of an overview of his creative output with a major show of original art.
'Most desired men' and 'Pretty babies ' frolic through his narratives, making Ralf König not only the most important German comic artist but also one of the most distinguished popular figures of the gay scene.
Born in 1960 in Westphalia near Soest, he grew up in Catholic surroundings, was keen on telling stories as a child, became a carpenter and then studied at the Art Academy in Düsseldorf. 'Der bewegte Mann' (int. title 'Most desired man') in 1996 established his wider popularity with an increasingly heterosexual public. His comic art has been filmed and also successfully presented in the form of puppet theatre. König has repeatedly reverted to classic literary sources of inspiration such as 'Lysistrata', freely adapted from Aristophanes, or 'Jago', loosely based on Shakespeare. In 'Kondom des Grauens' (int. title 'Killer condom') he parodies the figure of the sleuth Philipp Marlowe. He also approaches the theme of Aids in the form of Superparadise Nebenwirkungen (Superparadise side-effects). And he packaged his own (short) biography into a cheekily drawn comic in 1993 with aplomb.
In his two latest books 'Prototyp' and 'Archetyp' he affords an insight into the potato-nosed story of the Creation as well as the goings on in Noah's Ark. He tackles the theme of religion and the Bible in his own highly unconventional manner. He has expressed himself critically to the Islamic cartoon controversy and has taken a stand for the general freedom of opinion and the press. For his stance he was awarded the Max-and-Moritz Prize in Erlangen in 2006. His position on the advisory committee of the Giordano-Bruno Foundation also demonstrates his dedication to a peaceful and equal co-existence for mankind.
As well as his comic strips, large-format works from Ralf König are also shown, many of which were created especially for the Oberhausen exhibition. The show, enabling the Ludwig Galerie to underline and further increase its importance as a central exhibition location for the comic and caricature genre, promises exciting insights into the (erotic) world of the noses. Ralf König is on-site in person on a number of occasions (see the calendar), allowing his fans to get to know him in real life.
LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen
Konrad-Adenauer-Allee 46
46049 Oberhausen
Tel 0208 4124928
Fax 0208 4124913