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Jakob Gasteiger

„Volumen 2“

gasteiger“Volumen 2” is a variation on, or elaboration of, a one particular piece (“Volumen 1”) from Jakob Gasteiger’s oeuvre. This work, staged by the artist in what was once a sacral space, is an enormous air-filled ellipsoid made out of black matte plastic film that drifts about in the space. The space is defined in a new way by being downplayed by the sculpture. No symbol, no sign, and certainly not anything sacral, nothing but simply soft volume floating in a clear geometric shape.

As an artist Gasteiger evades classification – he is most aptly described as a painter, perhaps a sensual minimalist. His trademark is monochromatic pieces with strong reliefs, combs of rich paint. But he also leaves a number of questions open, such as the transitions between image, object and sculpture, between surfaces and space or materiality and immateriality.

His oeuvre is thus as diverse as it is rich in contrasts. All works – whether ascribed to drawing, painting, the object, sculpture or the environment – share their specific character: they do not relate any stories, nor do they depict anything, and they do not refer to anything other than themselves, presenting nothing but their own being. Art for Gasteiger is first and foremost a field of unlimited aesthetic experiences. In “Volumen 2” these are experiences of inside and out, shell and core, transparency and visual density.