Mirjam Thomann
Mirjam Thomann (D, 1978, lives and works in Berlin) deals with spaces, gaps, architecture, buildings, and their relation to the viewer, or more precisely, to the visitor that is conceived physically instead of cognitively. She examines areas that are visible, yet mostly go unnoticed, that elude conscious perception and are therefore usually not the object of special attention, although - as hinges - they have a decisive influence on the reception of and the possible movements in space. She transforms entrances, corners, passageways, or doors from purely purposeful spatial elements, which are taken for granted or deemed necessary, to the actual subject matter of her investigations through targeted and often reserved interventions in the structure of those spaces. Mirrors, which by reflecting the surrounding world absorb themselves as objects and primarily reflect their context, refer to the unalterable dependency of perceiving the individual object on the conditions of being shown.
Thomann approaches the objects she explores via the level that she is foremost interested in - architecture - and produces spatial plans that present what is later shown - far from ingenious creation - as maliciously constructed. She creates drawings to each work that resemble building plans and clearly define the dimensions, colours, materials, and placing, and thus - in their semblance to building instructions - enable repeatability. The materials she uses are often drawn from rebuilt objects contradicting their function, which the artist finds on location. Her references go beyond spatiality and raise general aesthetic questions related to the preconditions of an artwork and its haptic material objectness. Mirjam Thomann is not only active in the field of fine art but also regularly contributes literary texts to "Texte zur Kunst", among other magazines.
Mirjam Thomann, "Shift (inbetween)", 2006, 250 cm x 800 cm x 550 cm, reopened passage between two rooms, display panels in use by the Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg, mirror, white paint, black paint, hardboard, plywood, poster, installation view, degree show 2006, Hochschule für bildende Künste, Hamburg
Curriculum vitae
Mirjam Thomann, "ohne Titel (Ein neues Muster muss werden auf der anderen Seite)", 2007, ca. 200 cm x 600 cm x 450 cm, plinth taken form the exhibition "The Guggenheim Collection" at the Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn, MDF, black paint, mirrors, hinges, installation view, "Kunststudentinnen und Kunststudenten stellen aus", Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn
Mirjam Thomann, "Klappen (Komplizen)", 2007, 100 cm x 53 cm x 53 cm, Plywood, white paint, black paint, hinges, installation view, "Gemischtes Doppel, Insert 1, Who", Kunstverein in Hamburg
Solo Exhibitions (Selection)
Group Exhibitions (Selection)
Publications
Awards and Scholarships