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Adelhyd
van Bender, Folder #17 (HB/Fol 0017), 1999–2014, containing approx.
200–250 pages,
various
materials on paper in plastic folder, each 30 x 21 cm or 42 x 30
(folded once), 32 x 29 x 8 cm.
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Galerie Susanne Zander presents
Adelhyd van Bender: The Atom is Invincible
1
May–27 June 2015
Opening:
Friday, 1st of May, 6–9 pm
On
the occasion of the Gallery Weekend Berlin Delmes & Zander
presents the work of artist Adelhyd van Bender in a solo exhibition
for the very first time.
Born
on October 16, 1950 as Harald Friedrich Bender in the city of
Bruchsal (Baden-Württemberg), Adelhyd van Bender leaves his parental
home at age 15 after his parents’ break-up and moves to
Ludwigshafen where he lives in a juvenile home and completes an
apprenticeship as an electrician. In 1968, Bender moves to Berlin
working as an electrician for two years, later becoming unemployed.
In 1974, he completes his General Certificate of Secondary Education
in evening courses. In October of the same year, he is admitted to
the HdK Berlin (Berlin Arts Academy) where he studies for two years,
until he is forced to exmatriculate in 1976.
After
the lease to his apartment has been terminated, he travels to England
convinced that he will be able to trace his aristocratic roots. Since
that time, he calls himself Adelhyd van Bender. In 1977, he returns
to Berlin and intensifies his artistic activity: he paints with tars,
oil paints, various chemicals and solvents on wood and cardboard.
In
1987, a fire in his apartment destroys all highly combustible
materials and part of his work. In 1999, when the artist’s
apartment threatens to collapse under the weight of his work, he
leaves a large part of his oeuvre to the Prinzhorn Collection in
Heidelberg. After this incident, Adelhyd van Bender dedicates himself
completely to drawing, re-working, and photocopying. His work
resembles scientific research and he pursues it obsessively day by
day from morning to night, executing his scientific approach with
artistic means: he draws, writes, photocopies, retouches obsessively,
filling thousands and thousands sheets of paper with geometric forms
and color fields, also resorting to mathematical and chemical
graphisms and formula.
Van
Bender’s work is characterized by the idea that he carries a female
uterus that contains an “atomic secret” inside. Another pivotal
theme is the shape of the cube, associated to the symbol of the
Ka’aba, the black cube of Mecca. But also planetary constellations
and rockets to the stars. The idea that there are trials and tests
that must be taken in order to ascend to heaven are also key concepts
in Bender’s universe. With infinite chains of variations and
abstraction he transforms both technical, religious, and scientific
symbols as well as symbols borrowed from everyday reality. Resulting
is a fascinating oeuvre: unpredictable, associative and highly
esthetic and conceptual stringency.
Bender
died in Berlin on April 2, 2014.
Van
Bender’s entire artistic estate is in the possession of Delmes &
Zander. This February first works by Adelhyd van Benders were
presented in New York at the INDEPENDENT as well as in the exhibition
“System & Vision” at David Zwirner.
The
exhibition “Adelhyd van Bender: The Atom is Invincible” is the
beginning of the series “Art & Science”, in which Delmes &
Zander I Berlin presents artists which obsessively combine and pursue
their esthetic approach with scientific methods. Solo exhibitions by
Horst Ademeit and Karl Hans Janke will follow.
Rosa- Luxemburg- Straße 37
10178 Berlin
We are looking forward to see you at the
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