In recent years Michaël Borremans (born 1963) has increasingly worked with the medium of film. In a comprehensive solo exhibition entitled ‘Automat', the Kestnergesellschaft is presenting an extensive series of his filmic works, accompanied by selected drawings and some new paintings. Borremans's style is nostalgic and has numerous references to art history and the old masters. He is famous for the representation of people as objects, similarly to a still life. His pictorial worlds may be influenced by Surrealism, for they do not offer clear legibility. Such artistic methods are equally apparent in Borremans's filmic work: the camera remains focused on an incident for an unusual long time or scans a scene in a gentle as well as voyeuristic manner. The movements appear like absurd poses in the filmic duration and repetition. Behind a veil of stylistic faultlessness and perfection, the artist simulates legibility and meaning. His works oscillate between merciless realism and distancing alienation. His films, paintings and drawings function as picture puzzles of the human perception of the world.
From April 10 till June 29 in Kestnergesellschaft, Goseriede 11, 30159 Hannover. Open Tue-Sat from 11am to 6pm (on Thu to 8pm).
Info: www.kestner.org