Petras letzte Spur
Three series of 'portraits' of screws constitute the major part of this exhibition of works by Christoph Hänsli. He created the plates because he was intrigued by the notion that the small parts he kept finding in rural and urban settings might be missing from some piece of machinery and could no longer serve their purpose, however lowly.
His almost 200 subtle and highly differentiated paintings say little about the origins or actual function of these mundane objects. While none of the screws can lay claim to a great past, each has been captured in a mysterious new context that has transformed its initial meaning.
A smaller three-part series of plates features missing cat notices that cat lovers had posted in public places. These short-lived announcements inspired the artist to create more permanent artefacts.
In a series of four wall-mounted objects that feature objects alluding to long-abandoned environments, the artist has captured at least some of the essence of elusive memories. One of these objects has given the exhibition both its name and a degree of inner cohesion. It is the photograph entitled, Petra's last trace. The trace of skis in the deep snow takes the eye to a point beyond which even the most mindful interpretation becomes futile.
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Nationalpark, 2014, Photography on Wallpaper in artist's frame, 54,5 x 72,5 x 8 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Dear parents,wonderful weather! We go on very long hikes. Please come Saturday at 15.14 O'Clock to the train station. I can't carry the heavy suitcase. Warm greetings, Graziella, 2014, Kitchen towels and wallpaper in artist's frame , 74,5 x 96 x 14 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Petra's last trace, 2014, Photography in an artist's frame, 21,5 x 29,5 x 5,5 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Untitled, 2014, Photographies in an artist's frame, 18,5 x 31,5 x 5,5 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Escaped, Lisa, 2014, Acryl on cotton on MDF, 19,5 x 27 x 1,7 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Missing, Fellini, 2014/15, Acryl and Oil on cotton on MDF, 34,5 x 26,5 x 1,7 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Missing, Harry, 2014/15, Acryl and Oil on cotton on MDF, 34,5 x 26,5 x 1,7 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Missing, Lua, 2014/15, Acryl and Oil on cotton on MDF, 34,5 x 26,5 x 1,7 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Lost, from the Serie A_108 (108-pieces), 2013/2014, Acryl on paper MDF, 20,8 x 29,5 x 1,6 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
Lost, Serie B_57, 2013/2014, Acryl on paper on MDF, 57-pieces, each 11 x 15,5 x 1,2 cm
Christoph Hänsli: Petras letzte Spur
