“To the People”
An installation by Michael Sailstorfer
In this installation, the renowned German artist Michael Sailstorfer invites the people to ask themselves ‘What is the relationship between the evolution of the rose, with its stem, flowers and thorns, and the evolution of our lives and societies?’
Inspired by the German artist Joseph Beuys’ idea of a ‘social sculpture,’ in which the effect of creative action on society is investigated, Sailstorfer’s installation asks similar questions. The roses are a moment suspended in time; replaced every day, they are unable to wither or bloom. Nevertheless, they represent an unexplored potential for growth and transformation, and this takes on further layers of meaning in interaction with the viewer.
“To the People” is accompanied by a number of pieces created by Sailstorfer to be presented in Argo Factory: Maghaaze. This includes MS 00 22, a comprehensive monograph from DCV on Sailstorfer’s works during the years 2000-2022. ‘Tears on Asphalt,’ Sailstorfer’s limited edition fragrance and the last in a series of tear artworks, is also available. Finally, ‘Minteeth,’ tiny white candies shaped like teeth, the result of Sailstorfer’s exploration into perishable sculptures, can also be obtained in the Minteeth Vendor or in separate packaging, both designed by the artist.
The exhibition statement, written by Frank Steinhofer, is available in Arabic, Armenian, Azeri, Balochi, English, Georgian, German, Gilaki, Kurdish, Laki, Pashto, Persian, Tabari, Tajik, Turkmen, and Uzbek. Click on each language to read the statement in translation.
Artist’s Biography:
Michael Sailstorfer (b. 1979, Germany) has spent his artistic career producing artworks that have pushed the boundaries of sculptural practices. Through the incorporation of sound, movement and time, Sailstorfer enables the meanings of the objects he works with to be transformed and to take on new lives of their own.
Exhibition text translations are done by the kind efforts of Iran Translation Center, Frank Steinhofer, Farhad Qaderi, Amirhossein Zoraqi, Goldi Nazari, Fereshte Asadian Fili, Sharzin Hajiloo, Tara Gragury Malkhassyan, Chris Hayrapetians, Atiyeh Bayat, Shima Rahmanypoor, Leila Zeinali, Negar Roshani, Pardis Jalali