Erwin Wurm Performative Sculptures
21er Haus
Arsenalstrasse
Vienna, Austria
Around 1990, Wurm found a new form of expression with his performative sculptures – a new term that the artist claimed for himself. The solo exhibition at the 21er Haus comprises upwards of 40 performative sculptures and statues, including a series of new works which Wurm developed especially for the show. In his most recent work, he deals with extraordinary examples of architecture and objects of daily use. The starting point is represented by models and blocks of clay, which are usually processed by Wurm himself or other people whom he instructs. Tension arises in the dialogue between the original form of objects and the traces left by the performative interventions, turning the body into the material and the medium of action. In the exhibition, the works of clay are juxtaposed with castings made of bronze, aluminium, iron, or polyester resin.
