Jürgen Partenheimer: Discontinuity, Paradox & Precision

Ikon presents a major solo exhibition by the internationally acclaimed German artist Jürgen Partenheimer, his first in the UK, comprising new and recent painting, works on paper and sculpture, revealing the interconnectivity of his essentially Modernist practice.

Partenheimer’s work is rooted in abstraction across many forms, expressing connections between art, poetry, music and literature, and importantly their place in everyday life. His is a philosophical investigation, work being an intellectual exposition of emotion, which in turn is considered an expression of life. In drawings and paintings of visual fragility, shapes, lines, colour and systems of repeated motifs, establish a poetic sensibility alluding to conditions of daily existence, challenging our usual interpretations of that which surrounds us. The physical presence of his paintings seem caught at the point of transient dissolution. Sculptures and ceramic work too retain this flexibility challenging our perceptual understanding, playing with our recognition. They contain echoes of functional objects, yet remain elusive in their specificity.

A major feature of the exhibition will be a new musical piece commissioned from the celebrated post-minimalist composer Kevin Volans. Invited by the artist to create a new work in response to his interest in colour and journeying, the music will be elaborated physically by speakers integrated into linear wooden sculptures made by Partenheimer. As his work aspires to the condition of music in a symbolist/ modernist sense, so Volans attempts to embody musically formal and emotive qualities and images possible in painting, sculpture and work on paper as seen in Partenheimer’s practice. Premiere live performances by Birmingham Contemporary Music Group will also take place at Ikon. Three ensembles of musicians mirroring Partenheimer’s approach and that of the interconnected galleries will create physical displacement providing exciting and surprising opportunities within the overall musical structure.

Partenheimer’s work will also be presented off-site at one of Birmingham’s most historic landmarks, Perrott’s Folly. Built in 1758 by John Perrott and originally intended as an eccentric entertainment, this structure provided the impetus for JRR Tolkein’s Two Towers. For Partenheimer, the tower operates as ‘axis mundi’, a vertical extension between heaven and earth, and also as a consideration of architecture as sculpture. By climbing the spiral staircase, viewers will move through six rooms making up this new commission, each space containing a single work.

A fully illustrated catalogue will accompany the exhibition with texts by Christoph Schreier, Kevin Volans and Nigel Prince.

Supported by West LB, Arts Council of Ireland, Culture Ireland, The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, the Hinrichsen Foundation, the Britten Pears Foundation, The Goethe Insitut, Trustees of Perrott’s Folly, Trident Care and Support, The Conservatoire and School of Art at Birmingham City University and ThesArte Stiftung.

The exhibition is developed in collaboration with Kunstmuseum Bonn. The Kevin Volans composition is co-commissioned with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Kunstmuseum Bonn. Birmingham Contemporary Music Group acknowledges financial assistance through its Sound Investment Scheme.

Jürgen Partenheimer
Discontinuity, Paradox & Precision