Lot 26 | Thomas Hirschhorn | Artist's Scarves

HIRSCHHORN, THOMAS
1957 Bern

Title: Artist's Scarves.
Subtitle: Mixed lot of 20 scarves with artsi's names.
Date: 1996.
Technique: Each: Wool and adhesive tape.
Measurement: Different formats. From 15 x x 112cm to 18 x 285cm.


Provenance:
- Kasper König Collection, Berlin

Exhibitions:
- EVA International, Limerick/Ireland 1996
- König Galerie, Berlin 2019

Thomas Hirschhorn - Artist's Scarves
The renowned Swiss artist Thomas Hirschhorn, born in Bern in 1957, is internationally recognised for his politically and socially engaged works. Hirschhorn's works deal with themes such as consumption, war and power structures, using everyday materials and objects to create complex and provocative installations.

Be an art fan with the Artist's Scarves
The Artist's Scarves are an extension of Hirschhorn's conceptual work. The textile artworks bear his unmistakable style - a mix of collage, text and image. The names of renowned artists are immortalised on woollen scarves using adhesive tape, from Piet Mondrian to Meret Oppenheim and Andy Warhol. The scarves serve as wearable art that can accessorise both the body and the room. By wearing such a scarf, the wearer becomes an ambassador for the respective artist. Last but not least, they unmistakably evoke associations with the fan cult surrounding sports such as football. Football scarves are often held up during a match to demonstrate club affiliation and are a sign of pride and loyalty. The fan accessories usually bear the club's colours and crest and are popular both in the stadium and in everyday life. Hirschhorn's deep commitment to social and political issues, as well as his conviction that art is accessible to all, is reflected in these works.

The question of beauty 'What Beauty Is. I Know not'
The scarves were shown in 2019 as part of the exhibition 'What Beauty Is, I Know not' curated by Kasper König at the König Galerie in St Agnes in Berlin. The title, borrowed from a quote by Albrecht Dürer, reflects König's critical approach, which invites viewers to question traditional notions of beauty and adopt new perspectives.