In his* already fifth solo show at Mark Müller Gallery Sabian Baumann shows works revolving around the question of identity. Is it possible at all to define yourself without the context of others? Aren't we all a product of our values, our environments, our history and the society we live in?
Normality is an exception in space and time, Baumann says, and that seems to be true for the term „Identity“ as well. During the course of our lives we're always changing and evolving, take on new facettes while others fade, and get shaped and affected by outside influences. We make the world and the world makes us. An I without we and without reference to what has been before, is simply impossible.
The piece that seems to represent these questions the most is „Selbst in kosmischer Form (aus der Serie Interpretationen)“ (transl: Self in coscmic form (from the series Interpretation). As a detailed self portrait the pencil drawing shows
a figure built from several heads and appendages from specific persons that influenced the artist on his* way. Ranging from close relatives over people from his* worklife to personalities from politics, pop culture, philosophy and even fictious comic-figures. Additionally 46 hands that are reminiscent of illustrations in hinduistic mythology draw life changing objects from history, art and technology.
This element of the hands can be found in several of the exhibited works, where they reach in from outside and shape the central figure, visualizing once again the concept that the perception of one's self is directly linked to the perception from outside. On the wallpaper on one of the gallerie's walls this element is reduced to the extreme. There one hand draws the next one and illustrate references to famous artists whose names are included as a signature next to each hand.
What always comes across in Baumann's works is his* distinctive aesthetic that can fluently change from photographic detailedness to minimalistic line art. The complex contents are meanwhile loosened by means of paradoc, lyrical and humorous moments.
Sabian Baumann is and was also part of numerous artistic collaborations doing queer and prosex-feministic projects. Right on time for the exhibition closing at Mark Müller Gallery he* launches the edition „An Unhappy Archive“ (published by edition fink), in which artistic and activist works and texts question the expectation of happiness. „An Unhappy Archive“ is inspired by theorist Sara Ahmed.
The edition will be launched during „an unhappy evening“, a thematically linked concert and performance session on Saturday, Oct 15, 2016 from 7 pm
Pascal Marchev

Opening : Friday, Aug 26, 2016 from 6 pm

mpefm SWITZERLAND art press release