Catalogue > At random

Skulptur21 is an 8 meter long sculpture made of wood, wire, carbon fiber and acrylic paint. It consists of individual hollow elements that are loosely assembled together, partly elevated on wires, on a specially constructed table. The different elements are painted white, light and dark grey, and black. The sculpture is a structural visualisation of Hans Richter‘s experimental film Rhythmus 21. The film, created around 1921, is considered a milestone in film history and is one of the first abstract films ever made. It consists of varying geometric elements that move within the pictorial frame of the screen and change in shape. The elements also change in size, giving the impression of movement towards and away from the viewer, thereby creating a feeling of depth. Skulptur21 shows this movement in space. In the sculpture, every element of the film is shown as a three- dimensional object. Size, position and colour of the elements correspond to those shown in the film. The viewer can physically retrace the elements of the lm by walking along the sculpture. One second of the 3-minute lm corresponds to about 5 cm of the 8 meter long sculpture. The lm can be seen in its entirety at one glance. The sculpture reveals relationships between the elements over the entire duration of the film. However, the translation of the film Rhythmus 21 into sculpture goes beyond a mere reinterpretation of the lm. Skulptur21 creates a connection between the time present in film and the space of architecture. In his paintings, Hans Richter was concerned with studying movement and rhythm. Taking as a basis musical theories, he started developing horizontal rolls depicting geometric elements that gradually change in shape and thus suggest movement. Skulptur21 can likewise be read as a musical score, a linear experimental notation that visualises dynamic proportions and progressions. In addition to o ering a new way of looking at the film Rhythmus 21, the aim of Skulptur21 is to enable the viewer to make their own personal discoveries and experiences, no matter what background or field they come from.

Gerald Schauder a.k.a. KABELTON, born and raised in Munich, socialized in Graz, now living in Cologne, produces media art, electronic music and electroacoustic compositions. He is working as a sound engineer for film and music