Plastisch (Nr. 52, 1. Werksatz)

Description

In the 1960’s, artist Franz Erhard Walther redefined the field of sculpture, whereby the artist initiates the work, and the public becomes the producer of temporal, experience-shaping art forms. "I was not simply interested in questioning the canons of genre and material but in the elementary question: what actually is a work."

In 1957, he started by making drawings, paintings and wall objects. From 1963 together with textile engineer Johanna Walther, he developed sculptures with the use of fabric. It resulted in the ‘1. Werksatz (1st Work Set)’; a group of 58 objects made of canvas. These are then handed, with a set of conditions, to the public who are invited to produce the work by doing simple actions. They can wrap themselves in the fabric, lay down or stand on it, etc. More important than the objects are the experiences gained by the audience, regarding time, space, direction, size, etc.; the emotions of the viewers and the relationships developing between the participants. The 1st Work Set forms the instrument towards a particular awareness, which doesn’t stop when leaving the museum.

A video recording from 1972 has been preserved of an interview with Franz Erhard Walther in a park in Eindhoven, where he and staff from the Van Abbemuseum demonstrate possible uses for his canvas objects. This recording was made for the exhibition at the Van Abbemuseum (October 13 to 29, 1972). The recording shows, among other things, two people unrolling a piece of black textile, Walther's object, on a patch of grass, walking around in it, and hiding in it. Walther's work is only created through the participation of the public. Walther provides the materials and ideas; he is the initiator. But it requires the public's action to become a work of art. Because Walther's work depends on the presence of an audience, the video serves as a call for participation: "If you would like to try out Walther's objects yourself, please ask the doorman."

From 1969 to 1973, Walther is working on 2. Werksatz. He placed strips of fabric on the floor, in simple, geometric patterns. From 1973 onwards, he uses metal and wood as well as fabrics for his Schreit- und Standstücke (Stride and Stand Pieces). Since 1978/1979, Walther has returned to his wall objects. His Wandformationen (Wall Formations) are wall sculptures made of coloured cotton, in which he often incorporates items of clothing.

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