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Sabine Pierick:  Elementary

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·Title:         118/17

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·Dimensions:     150 x 150 cm  

·Material:  Real copper disc with copper threads on granulated coal

·Year:        2024

Description:

 

This fascinating installation uniquely combines science, global politics and aesthetic sophistication. 118 precisely arranged copper threads corresponding to the elements of the periodic table are interwoven with 17 concentric circles - a subtle nod to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

The mathematical precision of the work, with references to pi and the circumference of the earth, as well as the symbolic excess length of the threads, which refers to the 196 recognized states of the world, make this piece an intellectual and visual experience.

 

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Sabine Pierick's installation "ELEMENTARY: 118/17" can be placed in the context of conceptual environmental art, which has gained increasing importance since the 1960s. The work is characterized by its complex symbolism and the fusion of scientific, political and aesthetic elements.

The use of 118 copper threads, which correspond to the elements of the periodic table, refers to the fundamental structure of matter and thus connects the work of art with the natural sciences, and is also in the tradition of contemporary artists such as Tomás Saraceno or Olafur Eliasson, who integrate scientific concepts into their works.

The 17 concentric circles, which represent the UN sustainability goals, give the work an explicitly political dimension. Pierick thus addresses current global challenges and positions her work in the discourse on sustainability and global responsibility. This approach is reminiscent of the tradition of political art, as represented by Joseph Beuys, for example, with his expanded concept of art.

The mathematical precision in the conception of the work - with the reference to Pi and the circumference of the earth as well as the extra length of the threads as a reference to the 196 recognized states - shows Pierick's interest in the connection between art, mathematics and geopolitics. This linking of different fields of knowledge in one work of art is reminiscent of conceptual approaches such as those of Sol LeWitt or Hanne Darboven.

From a formal perspective, the work "ELEMENTARY: 118/17" is in the tradition of minimalist and geometric abstraction. The circular composition and the use of copper as a material are reminiscent of works by artists such as Donald Judd or Carl Andre, who used industrial materials in art. At the same time, Pierick transcends pure formalism by charging it with symbolic meanings.

The choice of copper as a material is both aesthetically and conceptually significant. Copper, a conductive metal, could be interpreted here as a symbol of connection and interconnectedness - in keeping with the global issues that the work addresses. In addition, the warm color of the copper subtly refers to global warming, a central theme of the Anthropocene.

In the broader context of contemporary art, Pierick's work can be placed within the growing movement of ecologically engaged art. Artists such as Hans Haacke, Agnes Denes or, more contemporary, Olafur Eliasson have taken up similar themes, albeit with different approaches.

Pierick's work is characterized by his ability to express complex global issues in an aesthetically pleasing and intellectually challenging way. It exemplifies art that is not only visually effective, but can also act as a catalyst for discussions on pressing global issues.

In summary, "ELEMENTARY: 118/17 represents a significant example of the fusion of aesthetic form, scientific precision and political engagement in contemporary art. It challenges the viewer to reflect on the complex relationships between science, politics and the environment, thereby positioning itself at the intersection of art, activism and research.

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