On May 13, the opening day of “Transformation” exhibition in Freiburg (Germany) there were displayed works of a sculptor from Berlin – Karl Menzen. The exhibition opening was supported with music by Holst quartet, followed by the sculptor who shared with the viewers some details of his work.

Karl Menzen started his creative work without any education or previous work experience in this area. In Berlin he met a sculptor Volkmar Haase who at that time was looking for an assistant to help in his workshop. During his work in the workshop Menzen also started his studies in Berlin technical university with a degree in materials science. After graduating he decided that he wants to be closer to the practical side of the work and chose the path of a sculptor.

Experimenting with wood, Karl Menzen understood that while working with the materials he is attracted by resistance, as well as following it filament and welding of metal, that characterize work with steel. Change of the physical condition of metal and its transition from one form to another, as well as transformation are reflected in his work and let him to create freely. While working with steel plates he discovered the change of correlation of plane and space.

To create his sculptures artist is using stainless steel as well as corrosive steel, and as Menzel is saying, each of these types of steel has its specific esthetics. The silvery surface of stainless steel particularly emphasizes the effects of light, while the steel that is prone to corrosion shows better the flow of time and transitional nature of the material world.

Karl Menzen’s creative work is not limited by his individual projects, he also takes active part in the work of the group of artists called ArtEvent.

This group organizes exhibitions in deserted buildings that have particular significance in the history of the region. They also have exhibitions in public spaces. Attracting art to the space that was not initially meant as a gallery is changing not only the art but also the perception of the viewer.

During the talk sculptor mentioned the upcoming exhibition and told that preparation to it was one of the hardest things in his artistic career. The scene of an art-intervention this year is the preserved chapel in the forest cemetery nearby Potsdam. The chapel itself was not used since 1990 but it will get through changes – not only the chapel but also the basement, side pavilions and all the open spaces for the period of two weeks will become the stage for the local art.

You can visit “Transformation” exhibition until July 1st, every Sunday from 11.00 until 13.30

Stiftung für Konkrete Kunst Roland Phleps

Address: Pochgasse 73 | 79104 Freiburg-Zähringen

www.stiftung-konkrete-kunst.de

Free entrance