Isa Genzken at Hauser & Wirth

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Left: Untitled 2012. MDF, metal, plastic, glass, mirror foil, perspex, globe, plastic figure, casters; 256 x 101 x 55 cm. Right: Untitled 2012. MDF, plastic, glass, perspex, plastic, glass and metal figures, string, acrylic paint, casters; 225 x 103 x 62 cm. © Isa Genzken. Courtesy the artist, Hauser & Wirth and Galerie Buchholz, Cologne


A materials mishmash of MDF, perspex, plastic and glass is used in sculptor Isa Genzken's totemic series, which is on display at London's Hauser & Wirth until 12 January.

Left: Untitled 2012. MDF, plastic, glass, mirror foil, perspex, tape, spraypaint, colour prints, glass figures, mask, fabric, metal, artificial flower, artificial hair, casters 262 x 63 x 100 cm. Right: Untitled 2012. 7 parts: Nefertiti plaster busts with glasses on wooden base, wooden plinths, belt, colour photographs in aluminium frames. Each part: 184 x 50.5 x 40 cm, installation dimensions variable. © Isa Genzken. Courtesy the artist, Hauser & Wirth and Galerie Buchholz, Cologne


Constructed from everyday items such as chairs, photographs, potted plants and toys, each piece is arranged with modernist architectural shapes in mind, playing with themes such as the modern preconceptions of female beauty and the relationship between art and life.

Left: Untitled 2012. Mirrors, perspex, colour and black and white prints, mirror foil, frames, glue. Left part: 118 x 79 x 6 cm. Right part: 254 x 110.8 x 6 cm. Right: Untitled 2012. MDF, metal, glass, perspex, paint, globe, plastic and ceramic figures, casters 244 x 83 x 81 cm. © Isa Genzken. Courtesy the artist, Hauser & Wirth and Galerie Buchholz, Cologne


The concept of using domestic, inanimate objects in art is an emerging trend that is set to be influential in 2013; subscribers can read our Art in 2013 report for more on the trend.