James Sturkey and Marcel Friedrich Weber

until Sunday, July 16, 2023

Milchsackfabrik
Gutleutstraße 294
60327 Frankfurt am Main

Opening hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Marcel Friedrich Weber creates sculptural images in his works using a variety of materials such as fabrics, plaster, concrete, and artifacts from construction. He creates castings in plaster and concrete by covering them with self-sewn fabric covers, resulting in abstract forms with fine, smooth surfaces that contrast with the heaviness of the materials. He allows massive masses to flow and prompts reflection on the material. With his forms, he responds to his environment, creating a unique artistic experience. He focuses on surfaces and employs sensitivity, tactility, and materials to emphasize the contrast between fluidity and solidity. This antagonism between flowing and solid materiality is condensed into poetic narratives. His works captivate viewers and allow them to immerse themselves in the details. His works stand in stark contrast to the weight and volume of the spaces in the old industrial hall "Alte Schmelze." He utilizes the specific characteristics of the materials and gives them room to breathe in the raw spaces.

James Sturkey's works also stem from research and experiences with surfaces and materials. Although his subjects may initially seem banal, they are based on the idea of a phantasmatic potential. As a result, viewers of his works feel both familiar and alienated at the same time, as he focuses on artifacts of everyday life.

The title of the exhibition, "Bustin' Apart at the Seams", alludes to the excess, abundance, and the physical act of letting go, in connection with the fetishization and destruction of objects, bodies, and materials. At the same time, "Bustin' Apart at the Seams" refers to the space of the "Alte Schmelze," which was once bursting at the seams and is now being used again after a period of vacancy. Furthermore, the title also evokes the aesthetics of decaying building structures.