Untitled

MICHAEL
NIEMETZ
The Electric Chair (Ensemble), 2012 (Mixed Media; chair: 40 x 40 x 80cm, table:60 x 60 x 70 cm)
Home Improvement
The media artist Michael Niemetz takes materials from the hardware store reduces them to their
primary meaning and nearly exaggerates this process into absurdity. With his sculptures he doesn’t
glorify any functions but paraphrases the complexity of the concepts of art and light. The title of the
show „Home Improvement“ refers to the currently very popular „Do it Yourself“ (DIY) movement, which
slowly emerged from handicraft to the art and design scene. The surrealism of Niemetz’ light objects
are not only their absurd logic and sheer impossibility, but also their fantastical narrative. The chair
shown in this exhibition, with two neon tubes as back legs becomes a time machine with double light
speed. He has also paid homage to the ancestor of Ready-made. We can find in the gallery two toilets,
bound together back-to-back creating a cycle by feeding off each other’s water supply, that the visitor
perceives as a harmonious trickling water fountain. Niemetz combines his passion for material with
knowledge of the same in order to test the boundaries of light, art, and technology.
A Fountain, Is A Fountain, Is A Fountain
In Michael Niemetz we find an artist who is highly interested in the secret double life of
everyday objects and the relationships they have to their surroundings. For example:
He takes two functioning toilets, interconnects them in one closed hydrological cycle,
and brings them into the context of the exhibition space. What happens now is highly
confusing. When the visitor enters the gallery space he/she can hear the calming sound
of burbling water and the first thing they will see, standing prominently in the middle of
the room, is the aforementioned toilet fusion. After inspecting the seemingly magical
operation of the sculpture, the toilet ensemble becomes a water fountain. An object
you normally only encounter in privacy, becomes through its relocation from the private
domain to a public arena a very delicate, almost poetic encounter.
A Fountain is a Fountain is a Fountain, 2012
water fountain, Mixed Media (wood, toilet bowl, toilet tank, piping, water pump)
Size: 50 x 120 x 130 cm
Time Machine, 2001-2012
Mixed Media (70 x 70 x 100 cm)
Atlanten 2.0
Europe, it gives the impression that it’s
carried on the broad shoulders of strong
women and men whom you can meet on
almost every street corner. These mostly
classic European architectural pieces are
also known as atlantes. These telamones (the roman term for such sculptural
support) are holding the foundation of the
houses with their bare hands and remind
us of a time when art intertwined with the
public sphere in a monumental way. In Michael Niemetz installation Atlanten 2.0 we
find a humorous approach to this historical
practice. In the case of his work two plungers replace marble and sandstone. These
instruments of utility become the fragile pillar that seemingly carries the ceiling of the
gallery. And furthermore brings a fresh and
humorous approach to the current pretentious egocentricity of the everyday art circus.
Atlanten 2.0, 2012
Mixed Media (wooden staff, plunger) Size: 14 x 14 x 330 cm / height: variable
Being Framed
Michael Niemetz manipulates in this sculptural ensemble the framework of
contemporary painting. The monumental practice of painting on canvas is
being brought back down to earth from its lofty point of view on the gallery
walls. Here the spectator can take a new approach to the sanctum of the
canvas. Being close to it. Even able to touch and sit on it. The observer
gets into the spotlight of the creative process, leaving her/his trace on the
raw canvas and therefore becoming the paint on the painting, becoming
part of the sculpture itself.
Being Framed, 2013
Mixed Media (stretcher frame, canvas)
Size: stool:38 x 38 x 47 cm, table:48 x 48 x 70 cm
Fiat Lux! (Studie 03), 2011
Mixed Media (30 x 30 x 110 cm)
FIAT LUX
Fiat Lux! (Studie 00.1), 2010
Mixed Media (25x25x135cm)
Michael Niemetz addresses within a seemingly simple installation the complexity of light and Art. Even
if we pragmatically approach the work and only consider components of the piece we become aware,
once again, of the intricacy with which this work operates. The key examination of the artists’ work is the
question of presentation and the process of artistic creation. With this he stands in a long history of artistic
tradition. The light bulb gives the impression of self-enlightened and that it has no need to connect with a
power supply. Thereby it seems to provocatively flaunt its independence from society, which can also be
seen as a reference to artistic self-realization. The light bulb as the embodiment of the idea itself is despite
its own free development imbedded within a construction of social reasons. Annika Lorenz, 2011
Fiat Lux! (Studie 00.2), 2011
Mixed Media (30 x 60 x 110 cm)
Fiat Lux! (Studie 00.3), 2011
Mixed Media (30 x 30 x 145 cm)
Where Have All The Colors Gone, 2011
Mixed Media (20 x 20 x 35 cm)
The main idea behind the exhibition concept The Chic Boutique is to form a home
base for dialog. As we know how uninspiring it is to meet in galleries and museums,
with the harsh light, white unwelcoming walls and uncomfortable atmosphere The
Chic Boutique sets with its soft berry-colored walls, warm lighting and inviting sitting possibilities the right counter-program to the regular exhibition sites. We want to
welcome new ideas and approaches and of course – a productive dialog. The idea
of going beyond the scope and showing the love for art that manifests itself in more
ways than the plain picture in a frame. We want to encourage a lifestyle where life
and art intertwine and cross-fertilize each other. With calling this exhibition series Chic
Boutique we want to appear welcoming to even a more art distant audience and form
a response to the regular Art business.
The Chic Boutique: Art with Function takes up the tradition of applied arts and developes it further in accordance with the present day. Since this is neither hand craft
nor design the claim of the artwork as a consistent independent work remains. The
project has set itself the task to demonstrate the impossibility of the work of young
artists to assign a genre, and that the claim of an artistic work can not be confined to
the narrow frame of a picture on the wall.
created By Johanna Braun
organized & executed by Johanna Braun + Michael Niemetz
for more information please visit www.DieChicBoutique.com
thank you so very much to all the participating artists
Marina Abramovic, Cornelis van Almsick, Eleanna Anagnos, Puneh Ansari, Ovidiu Anton, Thomas Ballhausen, Tizia Barci, Anna Barfuss, Johanna Braun, Anna
BlaU, Maria Bussmann, Christiane Büssgen for WOKA, Julian Cech, Eva Chytilek, Emma Maud Corrall, Mascha Dabic, Astrid Deigner, Marco Dessi Driendl*Architects, Anna Dubina, Andreas Duscha, Hélène van Duijne, Dejan Dukic, David
Eisl, Anna Egarmina, Chilo Eribenne, Christian Falsnaes, Karine Fauchard, Lionel
Favre, Karin Ferrari, Sylvie Fleury, Fanni Futterknecht, Micha Payer + Martin Gabriel, Sara Glaxia, Teresa Grandits, graulicht, Al Hansen, Paul Philipp Heinze, Denise Herz, Behruz Heschmat, Kathi Hofer, Vanessa Hordies, Roland Icking, Zorana Janjic, Derek Jarman, Matthias Kaiser, Dejan Kaludjerovic, Milli Kaufmann,
Christine Kofler, Elke Silvia Krystufek, Kris Lemsalu, Roberta Lima, Johann Lurf,
Lazar Lyutakov, Mahony, Barbi Makovic, Camille Meyer, Jakob Neulinger, Michael
Niemetz, Parastu, Peter Noever, Fritz Panzer, Edith Payer, Gernot Petjak, Katinka
Pilscheur, Isabella Rossellini, David Roth, Stefan Reiterer, Linus Riepler, Fiona
Rukschcio, Tom Sachs/Van Neistat, Elisabeth von Samsonow, Stefanie Sargnagel, Jasmin Theres Schienegger, Charlotte Schnabl, Simon Schubert, Mima
Schwahn, Fabian Seiz,Michael Strasser, Annette Tesarek, Jenni Tischer, Magda
Tothova, TJEP, Hope Tucker, Anne Cathrin Ulikowski, Marianne Vlaschits, Sands
Murray-Wassink, Wodka Wanessa, Natalia Weiss, Christian Weissenberger, Niki
Weitzer, Sue Williams, Rémy Zaugg, Julia Zastava, Magdalena Zeller
Exhibitions
2013
MICHAEL NIEMETZ
Curriculum Vitae
* 1977 Vienna, Austria
Lives and works in Vienna and Baden
Education
2000-2007 University of Applied Arts, Vienna, Trans-media Art
2006-2007 UDK Berlin, ID5, Interactive Systems
2007
Sul Ross University / Department of Fine Arts, Alpine / TX, U.S.A.
2007
Diploma, University of Applied Arts, Vienna
Trans-media Art, Prof. Brigitte Kowanz
Awards/Grands
2013
Project Funding School of the Art Institute, Chicago / Austrian Consulate, Chicago
2011
Artist in Residence Chicago (AIR Krems)
2006-2007 Erasmus-Mobilitätsstipendium, Berlin
(ID5, industrial design / project group for interactive systems)
2001
Sussmann Stiftung - scholarship
Collections
21er Haus / Museum of Contemporary Art, Vienna
Rupertinum / Museum der Moderne, Salzburg
Projects
2012-
Co-founder/Organizer „Die Chic Boutique“ - Art With Function (www.diechicboutique.com)
2009-11 Co-founder of Jennyfair(autonomous art fair Vienna; www.jennyfair.at)
2009-12 Co-founder/Curator der DieAusstellungsstrasse
(Exhibitions&Projects; www.dieausstellungsstrasse.com)
2003
„Wasser – Voda – Víz“ international art symposium, Fischau, Schloss Bad Fischau
2002
„Metallwerkstatt“ Metall Symposium, Ybbsitz
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004 2003 2002 Die Chic Boutique / S-W-D-Z, Vienna
Parallel Vienna, Telegrafenamt, Vienna
The Chic Boutique - Chic.ago, ADDS DONNA, Chicago
Schaufenster zur Sammlung II, Museum der Moderne Rupertinum, Salzburg
Das Chic Boutique Café, DieAusstellungsstrasse, Vienna
Home Improvement, DieAusstellungsstrasse, Vienna (Solo)
Superposition, S-W-D-Z, Vienna
Die Chic Boutique – Kunst mit Funktion, DieAusstellungsstrasse, Vienna
Day One, DieAusstellungsstrasse, Vienna (Solo)
_011, Jennyfair, Vienna
Painting Show, Studio 336, SAIC, Chicago (Solo)
Der kleine Kunstsalon, Kaiserstrasse, Vienna
S/W, Celeste, Vienna
Neubaudisko, Showroom-Reumannplatz, Vienna
Pratersauna, Vienna Biennale, Vienna
BERLIN CALLS 0043, The Forgotten Bar, Berlin
Degeneration, Jennyfair, Vienna
MAK-Night, Vienna Biennale, Vienna
group_show, Galerie am Karmelitermarkt, Vienna
SPOTLIGHT, Museum der Moderne - MdM Rupertinum, Salzburg
1st, Jennyfair, Vienna
Personae, Atelier Operngasse, Vienna
Floorpictures, DieAusstellungsstrasse, Vienna (Solo)
Thriller at Jennyfair, DieAusstellugsstrasse, Vienna
Home as Transformation and Identity, Landhausgallery Ausstellungsbrücke, St.Pölten
F.T.E., Artwalk, Alpine, TX, U.S.A. (Solo)
ArtKino#5, KONSTNÄRSHUSET, Stockholm, Schweden
MANIFESTEsommer_07, WeissesHaus, Westbahnhof, Vienna
Friendship –Ticket, Prospekthof, Semper Depot, Vienna
ID5, UDK Berlin
All Night Long, Christine König Galerie, Vienna
Bétonsalon, MuseumsQuartier, Vienna
Stiegenhaus, MuseumAngewandterKunst, Vienna
facing Galerie Westlich, Vienna
WV, Galerie Medium, Bratislava
Kunst Fou, Kulturzentrum Amthof, Feldkirchen
Wasser – Voda – Víz, International Art Symposium, Schloss Bad Fischau; Fischau
Mensch in Bewegung, Technisches Museum, Vienna
WVV, Semper Depot, Vienna
Metallwerkstatt, Metal Symposium Ybbsitz, Museum Ybbsitz
IN(N)´s TAL L´AcTION, Kunstpavillion, Innsbruck
Mag. Michael Niemetz
www.michaelniemetz.net
niemetz.m@gmail.com