16 Feb 2012

Static on the Radio: Eva Raeder / Jack Holden at BIS71

EVA RÄDER / JACK HOLDEN
STATIC ON THE RADIO
Februari 12 - April 22, 2012

With the exhibition 'Static on the Radio', Berlin-based artists Eva Räder (Ochenhausen, Germany, 1978) and Jack Holden (Nottingham, UK, 1979) present new works. For this exhibition Räder and Holden have worked as a collaborative duo.

Räder and Holden have created a new series of works specifically for BIS71; a series of collaborative drawings/ collages and an installation comprising of ceramic sculptures.

'Static on the Radio' refers to white noise on a radio receiver.  The title is a play on words and refers to the fact that each artist usually has their very own specific frequency of interests that makes them unique.  In this exhibition, however, they have embraced the idea of creative collaboration.

The process of making the collaborative drawings/collage was entirely free between the two artists and allowed complete autonomy. Each artist would make their contributions in isolation, and in most cases, each drawing/collage was passed back between each other at least twice before completion. The agreement between the artists was that each was free to do what they like on all of the drawings, including to mask, erase or work on top of the other artists ideas and marks. Räder and Holden consciously decided not to discuss the drawing works during the process of making them, or to discuss the overriding intentions of each artist for the works.  By making these decisions, Räder and Holden fully embraced the democratic nature of working together, exploring their differences of interest, expression and technique and allowing for works to emerge without one person having more influence than the other. The challenge for each artist was to end up with works of art where both agreed that they were complete and meaningful and works that conveyed a connection between Räder and Holden's individual frequencies, interests and specific aesthetics.

The installation shown in the big hall of Bisscheroux's space comprises of over 60 ceramic sculptures.  When the artists first visited the BIS71 space they were both struck by the atmosphere, scale and impressive and imposing nature of the big hall. After having discussed the possibilities of what to exhibit in the great hall, they would often refer to the space as akin to a radio receiver and that whatever put into the space would by definition change the sound of the frequency within the space. The sculptures are an attempt to create fantastical creatures, animals, plants and forms and when installed together represent an exotic garden or planet of sorts. These sculptures are characterised by an interest in the physical aspects of materials and modes of construction and emphasise the process of making itself.  The forms of the sculptures are often sketch-like and made with a laconic execution, and when seen on their own, can seem throwaway and unspectacular. However, when installed together, the sculptures are an attempt to create a wave of white noise that continuously hums through Bisscheroux's space.  Here the absence of the demand for perfection lends the sculptures a physical idea of the constant transformation of the human mind, of thoughts that come and go, at once organic and malleable, floating through time.

www.eva-raeder.de
www.jackholden.org