Katharina Grosse

German artist Katharina Grosse (b.1961) is known for her innovative abstract site-related installations that transform architectural spaces and landscapes. Her signature colorful spray paintings create temporary carnivalesque transformations of existing places, including airports, beach structures, and museums. Author Gregory Volk has been a witness to Grosse's journey from a unique talent to a radical visionary, and her practice continues to push the boundaries of contemporary abstract painting.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 144 pages
\n Publication date: 03 September 2020
\n Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd
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This is the most comprehensive monograph to-date on the innovative abstract site-related installations of German artist Katharina Grosse (b.1961). Grosse's daring move from the canvas into both architectural space and the landscape, with her signature colorful spray paintings, has resulted in a deeply compelling body of work. From a Toronto airport to a decrepit beach structure on the New York coast and the spaces of major museums worldwide, Grosse's works present thorough, yet temporary, carnivalesque transformations of extant places and situations. Author Gregory Volk has known Katharina Grosse and written about her work since the very outset of her career, and has witnessed her journey from unique talent to radical visionary. As he suggests here, Grosse's continually developing practice, simultaneously ungainly and exhilarating, bewildering and liberating, radically extends the possibilities for contemporary abstract painting.

Introduction:
Katharina Grosse is a German artist known for her innovative abstract site-related installations that transform architectural spaces and landscapes. Her bold move from traditional canvas paintings to large-scale installations has garnered her international recognition. In this monograph, we explore the depth and breadth of Grosse's artistic practice, examining her signature colorful spray paintings and their impact on the spaces they inhabit.

Body:
Grosse's artistic journey began with her early experiments with spray paint and graffiti, which she honed in her hometown of Berlin. Her work evolved into large-scale installations that blurred the boundaries between art and architecture. Grosse's installations often involve the use of colorful spray paintings to cover entire surfaces, creating immersive and visually striking environments.

One of Grosse's most notable installations is "Pumpkin," which she created in 2007 for the Tate Modern in London. The installation consisted of a giant pumpkin covered in colorful spray paint, towering over the visitors. The pumpkin was a symbol of decay and transformation, reflecting the artist's interest in the relationship between nature and human intervention.

Another notable installation is "The Beach," which Grosse created in 2008 for the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The installation consisted of a decrepit beach structure on the New York coast, which the artist transformed into a vibrant and playful environment using colorful spray paintings. The beach was a site of memory and nostalgia, but Grosse's intervention brought a new life and energy to it.

Grosse's installations are not limited to urban spaces. She has also created site-specific installations in natural environments, such as forests and deserts. In "Forest," which she created in 2010 for the Art Institute of Chicago, Grosse used colorful spray paintings to cover trees and create a surreal and dreamlike environment. The installation was a commentary on the impact of human activity on nature and the environment.

Grosse's work challenges the traditional boundaries between art and architecture, creating a sense of ambiguity and wonder. Her installations often evoke a sense of carnivalesque transformation, as they transform everyday spaces into temporary and playful environments. Grosse's use of color and texture adds depth and dimension to her installations, creating a visual experience that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Author Gregory Volk has been a close observer of Grosse's career since the early stages of her artistic journey. In this monograph, Volk provides a comprehensive analysis of Grosse's work, exploring her artistic influences, techniques, and the social and political implications of her installations. Volk's insights into Grosse's practice are invaluable, as he sheds light on the creative process and the radical vision that drives her work.

Conclusion:
Katharina Grosse's innovative abstract site-related installations have transformed the way we perceive and experience art. Her bold move from the canvas to architectural spaces and landscapes has resulted in a deeply compelling body of work that challenges the boundaries between art and everyday life. Grosse's use of color, texture, and scale creates a sense of ambiguity and wonder, inviting viewers to explore and interpret her installations in their own unique way. This monograph provides a comprehensive exploration of Grosse's artistic practice, offering insights into her creative process and the radical vision that drives her work. As we continue to witness the evolution of Grosse's artistic journey, we can expect to see her continue to push the boundaries of contemporary art and inspire new generations of artists.

\n Weight: 1052g\n
Dimension: 248 x 290 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781848223233\n
Edition number: Revised ed\n