With the exhibition “Friendship Request No. 3”, the Von der Heydt-Museum is focussing on the renowned sculptor Markus Karstieß, who brings the traditional material of ceramics into the present day with unique virtuosity. Karstieß’ sculptures impress with their monumental dimensions and fascinating, often enigmatic surfaces, whose iridescent glazes appear painterly, the forms idiosyncratic and sometimes disturbing. They move in the field of tension between man and mythical creature, between figuration and abstract form and invite us to question the boundaries of the familiar.
The “Friendship Request” exhibition series aims tobringcontemporary female artistsinto dialogue with the works of classical modernism in the museum’s rich holdings. Markus Karstieß does not focus on specific styles or epochs, but looks for personal points of contact and parallels in the artistic approach that move him emotionally — in many cases, and surprisingly, especially in the paintings of artistssuch as Edvard Munch and Paula Modersohn-Becker. In this way, his staging creates an inspiring exchange between ceramics and the main works of the museum, which enables innovative perspectives on art and offers fresh impulses for one’s own perception of art.
