PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY HIPPOLYTE
Yrjönkatu 8–10 (courtyard), 00120 Helsinki, Finland
+358 9 612 33 44, www.hippolyte.fi
Open: Tue–Fri 12–17, Sat–Sun 12–16

7.12.2012 – 5.1.2013
DAVID MUTH
Preface

The poet Konrad Bayer, founding member of the Wiener Gruppe (Vienna Group), sees language as a place of convention – a place where the individual is subordinate to both permanent and unnoticed correction by society. Expanding on this line of thought, one can look at other, non-verbal domains such as design or architecture as language-like systems – domains where a decodable visual vocabulary appears to have been established.

The works shown in exhibition Preface – large format colour photographs juxtaposed with manipulated polaroids – depict human environments without their inhabitants: they show traces left behind by unknown protagonists, or document seemingly abandoned arrangements as a manifestation of former creative choices. Some of these compositions echo the idea of cultural constraints and its influence on identity, others depict many layers of meaning in negotiation with each other. The exhibition also features a new video piece recently realised in Turku.

David Muth is an artist, musician and programmer. Having grown up in Salzburg, Austria, he relocated to the UK to study at Middlesex University, where he received an MA in Digital Arts. He currently lives and works in London, Vienna and Turku. His artistic practice combines conceptual and experimental approaches and is informed by his background in architecture. His projects range from installations and responsive environments, through video and experimental documentary, to composition and performance of music.

Muth’s work has been shown on numerous occasions internationally, with venues and events including the Musée d’Art Contemporain in Montreal, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma in Helsinki, Ars Electronica in Linz, ISEA2006 in San Jose, Le Cube in Paris, Montevideo in Amsterdam, Laboral in Gijón, SIGGRAPH2009 in New Orleans and the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. He also teaches at Goldsmiths and the Royal College of Art.

 David Muth, Turku 2011 #1

For more information, and press images:
Petronella Grönroos, exhibitions co-ordinator, +358 9 612 33 44, petronella.gronroos@hippolyte.fi

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