Norbert Brunner
Fuck Luck
March 11 - April 10, 2010
Opening Reception with the artist:
Thursday, March 11, 6 - 8 pm
Austrian Norbert Brunner’s inaugural American exhibition, Fuck
Luck, uses the gallery as a space for reflection, an approach to
self actualization. The artist’s 80 inch tall crystal embedded
mirrors are installed on opposite walls from his iconic photoportraits
in the same scale. Brunner’s mirror objects reflect not
only the viewer in the space, but superimpose messages
across all in their path, insisting we become an interactive part
of the installation. The artist forces the viewer squarely into the
center of the work itself, thus asking that he formulate his own
interpretation of reality.
A Swarovski crystal mirror states emphatically “You Are A Revolutionary”; its reflection includes a
picture of a hip-hop street vendor who holds another crystal embedded mirror which states “I Am
Ready”. Brunner’s digitally manipulated photographs seem to be breaking up pixel by pixel; they
call into question our interpretation of a “portrait”. Neither a mirror nor a photograph can capture
what is reality; we see only an interpretation of that which is captured in the confines of
glass. Brunner’s crystal messages are only fully visible when the viewer is standing directly in front
of the object, confronting the words head on. From the side view, the crystals sparkle and
shimmer and the words fall away. A mirror is not an exact reflection of reality, but a distorted
conveyance which readily offers back to the viewer an interface with his own preconceived
prejudices, strengths, hopes and experiences.
Brunner encourages confrontation in a positive way; he wants
the viewer to come away from the work empowered and
energized. Using few but compelling words, Fuck Luck’s texts
reflect possibilities by creating a space where the viewer’s own
reflection becomes part of the artwork he stands in front of. By
adopting a philosophical sense of humor, the artist resists
outside pressures and transcends the prevailing environment
rather than "coping" with it.
Brunner has public projects Kobe, Japan; Vienna, Austria;
Edmonton, Canada and Birmington, UK. His work has been
exhibited throughout the world including Beijing, China;
Sydney, Australia; London, UK; Moscow, Russia; Berlin,
Germany and Paris, France.
For more information:
www.ClaireOliver.com | Tel:212.929.5949