Lot 49 | Thomas Schütte | Rote Girlande

SCHÜTTE, THOMAS
1954 Oldenburg

Title: Rote Girlande.
Subtitle: 5 parts.
Date: 1979.
Technique: Each: Red fabric, one side cut into jags.
Measurement: Different measurements: 30 x 1084cm, 30 x 1084cm, 30 x 1070cm, 30 x 552cm and 30 x 348cm. Total size: 30 x 4138cm.


With enclosed pieces of felt for mounting.

The counterpart to this work in black will be shown in the Thomas Schüttte retrospective at MoMA, New York, from 29.9.2024 to 18.1.2025.

We would like to thank the artist's studio for their kind support.

Provenance:
- Kasper König Collection, Berlin (directly from the artist)

Exhibitions:
- Portikus Frankfurt, Frankfurt a. M. 1989
- Museum Ludwig, Cologne 2010
- Portikus Frankfurt, Frankfurt a. M. 2013
- Tanya Leighton, Berlin 2013
- Galerie Thomas Fischer, Berlin 2018
- König Galerie, Berlin 2019

Literature:
- Exhib. cat. On Kawara. Wieder und Wider, Portikus, Frankfurt am Main, 1992, no. 14 ill.
- Brigitte Kölle (ed.): Portikus Frankfurt am Main 1987-1997, Frankfurt a.M. 1997, pp. 138-139 ill.
- Pobocha, Paulina (ed.): Thomas Schütte - New York, Museum of Modern Art, New York 2024/25, p.82 (ill.)

Thomas Schütte is a German artist who is best known for his versatile sculptures, installations and architectural models. He studied at the Academy of Art in Düsseldorf from 1973 to 1981, where he learnt under Fritz Schwegler and Gerhard Richter, among others. Schütte's work is characterised by a great diversity in style and medium, often with a critical view of social and political issues. His best-known works include the series of larger-than-life aluminium figures 'Große Geister' (1989-1990) and the monumental bronze sculpture 'Mann im Matsch' (2009). Schütte has received numerous international awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale (2005). His works are represented in important collections and museums such as the Tate Modern in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The garland as art
To this day, Schütte does not seem to want to limit himself to one medium. He designed fabric garlands as the first hybrid form between interior design and art. Due to their nature and the way they are displayed, they seem to become part of the architecture of the room. The garland here measures over four metres in total and consists of several red fabric triangles strung together. Decorative garlands are usually hung as room or table decorations, especially on festive occasions. Here, as can be seen in the picture, the work adorns the curator's office of the 'Westkunst' exhibition. At the age of just 23, Schütte was invited by Kasper König and Laszlo Glotzer to take part in this famous exhibition in Cologne in 1981 and three years later in 'Von hier aus' in Düsseldorf. Both helped Schütte to great success.

Kasper König and Thomas Schütte
Thomas Schütte and Kasper König have a long-standing collaboration characterised by mutual respect and artistic recognition. König has presented Schütte's work in several important exhibitions. In 1989, König showed the 'Red Garland' in the Frankfurt Portikus as a wall frieze in the exhibition 'On Kawara - Wieder und Wider'. The Japanese artist's 'DatePaintings' are presented together with 24 artworks by other artists. In 2010, König shows his collection in an exhibition at Museum Ludwig with the artist's garland. One year later, Schütte is represented in the exhibition ''Vor dem Gesetz'' at Museum Ludwig. In 2018, the fabric work is shown again at Thomas Fischer in Berlin as part of a presentation of König's collection.