As part of their year-long project TRANSITUM, the two artists Anke Bär (drawing and ink painting) and Beate C. Koehler (photography, video and sound) explored the theme of transience in 2023. The past, present moment, and future melted into one another. In their constant search for a state of active non-action (Wu Wei), the two artists stretched themselves between life and death, becoming and passing away. The results include carefully inked dead birds on sheets of paper (Anke Bär), which hang freely in the exhibition space and sway gently. These works are based on Beate C. Koehler's respectful photographs of dead birds along the way, in the sand, on the asphalt, between railroad tracks, which were transferred to Wenzhou paper and presented on light boxes beneath the inked paper sheets. In addition, film clips were made that bring the process of creating the inked birds to life.
NEAPOLITAN PIGEON | 2023 Working on the project in Anke Bär's studio. Left: Beate C. Koehler's photograph | Right: Anke Bär's ink drawing | Background: Anke Bär
Beate C. Koehler | TRANSITUM | 2023
BLACKBIRD | 2023 In the exhibition "Bird Messages" | Ink Art Gallery | Weimar/GER
Beate C. Koehler | BLACKBIRD | 2023 | 13 x 19 cm photo transfer on 45.5 x 23.5 cm Wenzhou paper | Background: ink drawings by Anke Bär.
SEAGULL | 2023
Beate C. Koehler | SEAGULL | 2023 | 13 x 19 cm photo transfer on 45.5 x 23.5 cm Wenzhou paper. Lying on a light box on the floor.
NEAPOLITAIN PIGEON | 2023 One of Anke Bär's ink drawings in her studio. Beate C. Koehler (left) and Anke Bär (right).
