Contemporary Fine Arts gallery in Berlin presents the works of two artists, Markus Bacher and Christian Jankowski in two newly opened exhibitions.Bacher is a painter based in Los Angeles. His monumental works in the exhibition “River Deep Mountain High” can be described as abstract landscapes. Any recognizable shapes on the canvas are blurred by the swirling brushwork and saturated colors. All of the works are divided into panels, which often contrast uniform, bright colors with the abstract scenes, as in “Lemon my walks” (2015, acrylic on linen), where the yellow panel stands in opposition to the quiet, grim scene next to it, painted in grays. Bacher’s paintings seem like a lyrical homage to the pioneers of abstraction in American art, especially artists associated with Color Field painting.The retrospective of Jankowski, who is based in Berlin and New York, has been curated by an actress Nina Hoss. The exhibition focuses on the artist’s video work, presented next to film sets and sculptural installations. Jankowski’s works are part performance, part video art, which reveal his absurd sense of humor and ironic appropriation of mass media formats. In his recent work “Heavy Weight History” (2013, video), Jankowski adopts the medium of a sports coverage, convincing professional Polish weight-lifters to lift up different monuments in Warsaw. As they struggle with the weight of the objects, a sports commentator remarks on the historical figures they represent, among whom are Ronald Reagan. Jankowski’s video presents a symbolic effort of embracing the burdens of history. And yet, as in his other works, any blind respect for traditions, norms or institutions is derided and mocked.Markus Bacher’s “River Deep Mountain High” and Christian Jankowski’s “Retrospective” run at Contemporary Fine Arts, Am Kupfergraben 10, 10117 Berlin, through March 5, 2016.
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