Maria Konschake. PXL-MAD School of Arts. Selected Graduate 2020
Published: 13.11.2020
Maria Konschake unraveled European history in her project ‘About space and time’. She looked at the theme from various angles: politically, (art) historically and philosophically, but was especially interested in places that were important in the formation of Europe today. The critical body of work she presented is distinguished by a unique variation of media which become true metaphors and signifiers. It is amazing to see how a sometimes-dark matter can be the root of such unexpected and unconventional beauty.
/ Prof. Dr. David Huycke
'About space and identity' is a visualization of European cultural identity within the field of jewellery. It deals with the rooms, areas, zones and districts of European history and scrutinizes the connection between jewellery and cultural identity.
For the visualization of European cultural memory, 5 points of view were developed. They show not only the plurality of the cultural memory but also visualize the European struggle between unity and diversity. Furthermore, they illustrate the different facets of the history of the continent.
'Vergessen' is a series of unwearable marble brooch objects. For the artistic implementation, I decided to pick up the subject of the shroud and to set a memorial to the lost places. The objects show buildings as if covered by a cloth. They are made of hand-carved marble. All pieces have a brooching on the back. But those brooches, they can never be worn because they are deliberately too heavy due to the material. They illustrate, that today it is not possible any more to decorate oneself with the destruction of a culture.
'Prägung' is a single pendant that deals with the role of the church. The outer material of the object is fine silver and thus revered historically to the splendour and glory of the Roman Catholic Church. It is pure and very fragile. The inside is filled with casted lead - an apparent contradiction and contamination. The object carries an intense emotional message and should therefore be designed as if it should be worn close to the heart, although it is far too heavy to be ever worn. To emphasize the unwearability even more, the chain was made without a clasp and too short to wear.
'Abgrund' refers to the lowest point we have ever reached in European history. Here it is about the burnt places that have such terrible memories that nothing new can ever arise on them. The created place, that is placed on a classic serving tray and does not show itself directly, but through fine threads, which are directed upwards in small groups. Their appearance is aggressive. While soldering, the copper wires got deformed. The plate deformed as well and visualizes the destruction, that can be felt within this place. A whole spectrum of poisonous appearing colours developed caused by this process. The plate can never be used again, just like the real place. It was strongly contaminated by the events.
'Abbild' is about the governmental buildings in Europe. I would like to treat their permanence as an observer of time referring to the topic of the frame. Framing stands for the different epochs that the building has lived through. Here the buildings are created as different frames, that frame the fingers of the wearer. This refers to the fact, that in today‘s Europe the people decide about the inside of the building.
'Hoffnung' is the last subset. The cup series refers to the positive, shared vision of a European future. For this part of my work, I work with places where for Europe and the European Union important contracts were finally signed. For hope, it is not useful to take just one place. Therefore, here a group of objects shall form the art piece. It is about the visualization of the growing together of the individual states. The cups are formed from the ground plans of special buildings. Those forms grow into a circle and by that they form the cup. The circle is a symbol of unity, balance and stability.
/ Maria Konschake
More work and contacts:
Website: www.maria-konschake.de
Email: M.Konschake@gmx.de
Instagram: @mariakonschake
Name of graduation student: Maria Konschake.
Name of the guiding teacher: Nedda El-Asmar, Prof. Dr. David Huycke, Audi Pauwels, Dr. Karen Wuytens, Phd Student Patricia Domingues and Prof. Dr. Bert Willems.
Find out more about the courses at PXL-MAD School of Arts.
For the visualization of European cultural memory, 5 points of view were developed. They show not only the plurality of the cultural memory but also visualize the European struggle between unity and diversity. Furthermore, they illustrate the different facets of the history of the continent.
'Vergessen' is a series of unwearable marble brooch objects. For the artistic implementation, I decided to pick up the subject of the shroud and to set a memorial to the lost places. The objects show buildings as if covered by a cloth. They are made of hand-carved marble. All pieces have a brooching on the back. But those brooches, they can never be worn because they are deliberately too heavy due to the material. They illustrate, that today it is not possible any more to decorate oneself with the destruction of a culture.
'Prägung' is a single pendant that deals with the role of the church. The outer material of the object is fine silver and thus revered historically to the splendour and glory of the Roman Catholic Church. It is pure and very fragile. The inside is filled with casted lead - an apparent contradiction and contamination. The object carries an intense emotional message and should therefore be designed as if it should be worn close to the heart, although it is far too heavy to be ever worn. To emphasize the unwearability even more, the chain was made without a clasp and too short to wear.
'Abgrund' refers to the lowest point we have ever reached in European history. Here it is about the burnt places that have such terrible memories that nothing new can ever arise on them. The created place, that is placed on a classic serving tray and does not show itself directly, but through fine threads, which are directed upwards in small groups. Their appearance is aggressive. While soldering, the copper wires got deformed. The plate deformed as well and visualizes the destruction, that can be felt within this place. A whole spectrum of poisonous appearing colours developed caused by this process. The plate can never be used again, just like the real place. It was strongly contaminated by the events.
'Abbild' is about the governmental buildings in Europe. I would like to treat their permanence as an observer of time referring to the topic of the frame. Framing stands for the different epochs that the building has lived through. Here the buildings are created as different frames, that frame the fingers of the wearer. This refers to the fact, that in today‘s Europe the people decide about the inside of the building.
'Hoffnung' is the last subset. The cup series refers to the positive, shared vision of a European future. For this part of my work, I work with places where for Europe and the European Union important contracts were finally signed. For hope, it is not useful to take just one place. Therefore, here a group of objects shall form the art piece. It is about the visualization of the growing together of the individual states. The cups are formed from the ground plans of special buildings. Those forms grow into a circle and by that they form the cup. The circle is a symbol of unity, balance and stability.
/ Maria Konschake
More work and contacts:
Website: www.maria-konschake.de
Email: M.Konschake@gmx.de
Instagram: @mariakonschake
Name of graduation student: Maria Konschake.
Name of the guiding teacher: Nedda El-Asmar, Prof. Dr. David Huycke, Audi Pauwels, Dr. Karen Wuytens, Phd Student Patricia Domingues and Prof. Dr. Bert Willems.
Find out more about the courses at PXL-MAD School of Arts.
Ring: 60°10‘21.4“N 24°55‘59.4“E, 2020
Steel.
3.6 x 5 x 1.1 cm
Photo by: Maria Konschake
From series: Abbild
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Object: 41°54‘08.5“N 12°27‘14.1“E, 2020
Fine silver, lead.
22 x 7.5 x 1.5 cm
Photo by: Maria Konschake
From series: Prägung
Unwearable pendant object / body related object.
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Cup: 49°28'16.7''N 6°22'04.7''E, 2020
Porcelain.
6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 cm
Photo by: Maria Konschake
From series: Hoffnung
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Object: 50°02‘04.8“N 19°10‘51.6“E, 2020
Old plate, copper, silver.
39 x 26 x 3 cm
Photo by: Maria Konschake
From series: Abgrund
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Object: 19°26‘05.8“N 99°07‘52.9“W, 2020
Marble, steel.
8.5 x 8.5 x 4 cm
Photo by: Maria Konschake
From series: Vergessen
Unwearable marble brooch object / body related object.
Statement: “About space and identity“ is a visualization of European cultural identity within the field of jewellery. It deals with the rooms, areas, zones and districts of European history and scrutinizes the connection between jewellery and cultural identity. 5 points of view show not only the plurality of the cultural memory, but also the European struggle between unity and diversity. “Vergessen” is a series of unwearable marble brooch objects that remind us of the things we lost. “Prägung" is a single pendant that relates to the things that shaped us. “Abgrund" is the abyss. The object refers to the lowest point we have ever reached in European history. “Abbild" is our portrait. The row of rings and the wall object visualize the permanence of the building as an observer of time. “Hoffnung" is hope. The cup series refers to the positive, shared vision of a European future.
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
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