EMSCHERKUNST - Mischa Kuball and Lawrence Weiner transform sewage plant into light installation

„„Catch as catch can“ - that is the motto of Mischa Kuball’s and Lawrence Weiner’s project for EMSCHERKUNST.2010. The German light artist and the founder of the American Concept Art talk with 2010LAB.tv about their installation „Catch as Catch Can“. They have realised a two-part installation at the former sewage plant in Bottrop-Ebel.

Mischa Kuball accentuates the outer rims of the two basins with a light ring consisting of LED bands, so that the light rings do not only bring out he basins themselves like a rhythmical wave at nightfall, but also the complete complex. On the rooftop of the former company pavilion built in the late 50s, Lawrence Weiner has installed a writing with the proverbial text CATCH AS CATCH CAN -



D- because at the basins in Bottrop-Ebel, you never can touch or see the same water: due to the movement of the water and Mischa Kuball’s installation, there’s but a snapshot of the combination of water and colour. „ You can’t tell your friend: „Look at the greatest purple ever! It’s gone. It’s somewhere else.“, Lawrence Weiner says. This illuminated writing, similar to that of 50s and 60s product and cinema advertising, reminds you of the time the pavilion was built.

Art only becomes A Work after the recipient has anchored it in his mind

This project epitomises Lawrence Weiner’s philosophy: art only becomes a work after the recipient has anchored it in his mind. „Otherwise, it is just emitted by its creator, not provoking any reaction“, Mischa Kuball explains.
The spectator is actively addressed by the lettering „Catch as catch can”. Thus, a relation between art and him is established – and in doing so, certainly the colour of the water varies as much as the effect on the spectator.



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Channels: 

• Emscherkunst.2010
• Why Are You Creative?
• Creative.Quarters