Tim Wolff
28 Feb - 19 Apr 2014
TIM WOLFF
Maschinen lügen nicht
28 February - 19 April 2014
As an underlying theme in his works, the artist deals with urban, architectural, societal, and economic structures. His graphics and moving “images” harken back to observations of the banal and mundane. Through his unique style of visualization, Wolff lends a tangible structure to scenes out of everyday life, providing an impulse for critical reflection on events that would otherwise be overlooked. Regarding the formal aspects of his work, Wolff places special emphasis on dynamics and rhythm, using broad lines that flow powerfully, yet appear carefully controlled. This results in sparse, though at the same time incredibly dynamic compositions. Simultaneously, the artist unravels his motifs by spreading out the contours and distinct perspectives of his pieces to form deep, layered structures. Wolff’s video pieces, by contrast, are characterized by edits in extremely rapid succession, generating very rhythmic sequences of sound that transform the films into a visual and acoustic experience that leaves an impressive impact on the observer.A defining theme of the exhibit “Maschinen lügen nicht” (“machines do not lie”) is the concept that systems – all systems, technological as well as social – can only be as good as their input. Significantly, for Wolff, this input is always human in nature. This includes the system of mass consumption, but also that of work, production, and labour. In this exhibit, Wolff presents a new series of large-format drawings on paper: using paper markers, Wolff outlines the contours of the movements that workers at an assembly line go through, layering them on top of each other, fracturing their motions. Movements are represented by drawing individual sequences – their relation to time and the possible simultaneity of their occurrence are left open for interpretation, inevitably playing out in the mind of the observer. Wolff also presents video segments on painted-over monitors, playfully pointing out a certain ambiguity. The video's pictures gradually peel away from the contours of the drawing on the monitor, and in the process, their meaning slowly changes. ...
Due to their unassuming clarity and pared-back, striking frugality, Tim Wolff’s pieces are enveloped by an aura of intensity. The drawings, as well as the spectacular murals that are created without prior drafts or outlines, invoke a sense of synchronicity and entanglement that make them extraordinarily vivid. These aspects, in a different medium – expressed by compressing and reiterating audio sequences and visuals – are also what give his video collages their powerful focus. The “raw” style of these pieces also allows for well-positioned blank spaces which do not present a complete or fully enclosed image, but instead invite questions as to the structure of our society and different modes of living.
Text: Bashira Cabbara
Tim Wolff (born 1976 in Elisabethstadt, Romania) is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich (2007, Olaf Metzel's master class) and also studied at the FAAP in São Paulo, Brazil (2004). His works have been on display in several national as well as international exhibitions. In the summer of 2013, Wolff created a colossal, three dimensional drawing on the scaffolding of the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich by wrapping black sheeting around individual struts, recognizable as a sitting figure from a certain vantage point on the street below. In November of 2013, Wolff was presented with the Bavarian State Arts Award in the “drawing” category. The award winners' works are currently on display at the Artists' Gallery (Galerie der Künstler/ BBK) in Munich (until Feb. 28th, 2014).
Maschinen lügen nicht
28 February - 19 April 2014
As an underlying theme in his works, the artist deals with urban, architectural, societal, and economic structures. His graphics and moving “images” harken back to observations of the banal and mundane. Through his unique style of visualization, Wolff lends a tangible structure to scenes out of everyday life, providing an impulse for critical reflection on events that would otherwise be overlooked. Regarding the formal aspects of his work, Wolff places special emphasis on dynamics and rhythm, using broad lines that flow powerfully, yet appear carefully controlled. This results in sparse, though at the same time incredibly dynamic compositions. Simultaneously, the artist unravels his motifs by spreading out the contours and distinct perspectives of his pieces to form deep, layered structures. Wolff’s video pieces, by contrast, are characterized by edits in extremely rapid succession, generating very rhythmic sequences of sound that transform the films into a visual and acoustic experience that leaves an impressive impact on the observer.A defining theme of the exhibit “Maschinen lügen nicht” (“machines do not lie”) is the concept that systems – all systems, technological as well as social – can only be as good as their input. Significantly, for Wolff, this input is always human in nature. This includes the system of mass consumption, but also that of work, production, and labour. In this exhibit, Wolff presents a new series of large-format drawings on paper: using paper markers, Wolff outlines the contours of the movements that workers at an assembly line go through, layering them on top of each other, fracturing their motions. Movements are represented by drawing individual sequences – their relation to time and the possible simultaneity of their occurrence are left open for interpretation, inevitably playing out in the mind of the observer. Wolff also presents video segments on painted-over monitors, playfully pointing out a certain ambiguity. The video's pictures gradually peel away from the contours of the drawing on the monitor, and in the process, their meaning slowly changes. ...
Due to their unassuming clarity and pared-back, striking frugality, Tim Wolff’s pieces are enveloped by an aura of intensity. The drawings, as well as the spectacular murals that are created without prior drafts or outlines, invoke a sense of synchronicity and entanglement that make them extraordinarily vivid. These aspects, in a different medium – expressed by compressing and reiterating audio sequences and visuals – are also what give his video collages their powerful focus. The “raw” style of these pieces also allows for well-positioned blank spaces which do not present a complete or fully enclosed image, but instead invite questions as to the structure of our society and different modes of living.
Text: Bashira Cabbara
Tim Wolff (born 1976 in Elisabethstadt, Romania) is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich (2007, Olaf Metzel's master class) and also studied at the FAAP in São Paulo, Brazil (2004). His works have been on display in several national as well as international exhibitions. In the summer of 2013, Wolff created a colossal, three dimensional drawing on the scaffolding of the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich by wrapping black sheeting around individual struts, recognizable as a sitting figure from a certain vantage point on the street below. In November of 2013, Wolff was presented with the Bavarian State Arts Award in the “drawing” category. The award winners' works are currently on display at the Artists' Gallery (Galerie der Künstler/ BBK) in Munich (until Feb. 28th, 2014).