Satellitensaal, the title of Thomas Scheibitz solo exhibition at Sprüth Magers Window, is a neologism that—as so often with Scheibitz—stands for apparently irreconcilable concepts and things that are nevertheless held together at a poetic or artistic level.
Both the sculptural dimension of satellites and their use as unnoticed, quasi-invisible predictors and observers of our everyday lives are important points of reference for Scheibitz and a long-time source of inspiration. Satellites are designed to relay data remotely at high speeds over vast distances which have orbited the Earth for over sixty years and continue to significantly influence life on this planet.
Labyrinth shows a fragmentary, broken maze that might just as easily symbolize a building or garden. Labyrinthine structures or mazes also represent maximum confusion in classical iconography.
Labyrinth shows a fragmentary, broken maze that might just as easily symbolize a building or garden. Labyrinthine structures or mazes also represent maximum confusion in classical iconography.
Formally and as objects, these devices are purely functional in nature and essentially dispense with formal design altogether—a structural counter-concept to the artistic, aesthetic form-finding process involved in creating sculptures and objects, one that relies on attention to composition and design, fragment and detail. Hanging suspended in the unusually high-ceilinged space at Sprüth Magers Window is Satellit 3, a sculpture that appears to be monitoring people on the street, seemingly mirroring the gaze of passersby.
Formally and as objects, these devices are purely functional in nature and essentially dispense with formal design altogether—a structural counter-concept to the artistic, aesthetic form-finding process involved in creating sculptures and objects, one that relies on attention to composition and design, fragment and detail. Hanging suspended in the unusually high-ceilinged space at Sprüth Magers Window is Satellit 3, a sculpture that appears to be monitoring people on the street, seemingly mirroring the gaze of passersby.
The central painting in the exhibition is Thornwell. Its titular reference, the scholar Thornwell Jacobs (1877–1956), is credited with inventing the time capsule—a purposeful but also poetic concept with a view to Scheibitz’s paintings.
The Window, a storefront, sunken space with high ceilings that allows visitors to view works from the street at any time, also resembles a small hall.
The paintings hang high enough to be visible through the window. Scheibitz incorporates existing architectural elements with design details such as fabric coverings, for example, to effectively blur the line between space and sculpture.
The paintings hang high enough to be visible through the window. Scheibitz incorporates existing architectural elements with design details such as fabric coverings, for example, to effectively blur the line between space and sculpture.
Thomas Scheibitz
Satellitensaal
September 17, 2022–March 25, 2023