In Between

In Between

claudia schmitz
Germany

“I am not interested in the modernity of technology as such, but in its capacity to create new imaginary dimensions.” Schmitz uses pneumatic sculpture, multidimensional drawing, and video to explore new forms of space. Going through temporary stages, discarding and reinventing himself, his pieces explore the oscillating stages of being and non-being, of existence inside and outside of the image.
Relying on viewers to activate them, many of his pieces discuss the extent and possibilities of participation. The artist produced different pieces related to space monitoring and exploration practices, combining performance and field recording with video, sound, and the installation of objects.
Schmitz's current series of work shows images of the Mediterranean, creating deeply ambiguous impressions of idleness and drowning, referencing the recent refugee crisis, but referring in a much broader sense to the sentiment of a life with access to privilege rather than Unprivileged existence: about movement and room to breathe instead of being locked in an airless space, about choice and empowerment instead of being reduced to fighting for the most basic necessities of survival.
It is about privilege and waste, abundance and misery, both geographical and social boundaries. This cycle combines current questions about privilege and responsibility when dealing with resources in the digitized world and the resulting waste. Return city waste to citizens in the form of free public art.