katharina grosse’s pearly installation takes place in the louis vuitton space in venice

iridescent dreamlike installation by Katharina Grosse

german artist Katharina Grosse envelope Espace Louis Vuitton Venice with a bewitching pearl facility. Taking the form of an ethereal prismatic veil, “Apollo, Apollo” dramatically unfurls from wall to floor and covers scattered objects. Made of metallic mesh fabric, the installation creates a brilliant contrast against the black background, its body softly touching the walls.

Known for her bands of prismatic color usually applied to large-scale works of art, the artist immerses the audience in a vibrant shroud, inviting them into a sensory narrative. “Apollo, Apollo” carries its captivating identity, forming a portal to an imaginary world that encourages visitors to explore what is reality and illusion.study for Apollo, Apollo,

all photos: Daniela Gorgens, LRRH_©2022, Katharina Grosse and VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

a portal to a dream world

For the Espace Louis Vuitton Venezia (see more here), the German artist (here) printed intricate photographs on a metallic mesh fabric that blends the transparent with the opaque, letting outside light filter through. The surface reflects the movements of visitors and celebrates the typical Venetian mirror effect.

‘The image is chosen from a series of photographs showing situations or actions, related in one way or another to my practice of painting. He oscillates between surface, texture, image and object, order and disorder, destruction and creation, tension and relaxation, forced and fluid movement. Catherine Big.

a metallic fluidity seizes the installation ‘Apollo apollo’

The resulting veil resembles knitted sequins and embraces the floor and walls hiding various objects below, such as a pair of boots and a folding chair. Besides the prismatic paradoxes of its creator, the iridescent installation echoes its context and Venetian aesthetic – Fortuny fabrics, terrazzo mosaics, ubiquitous water and reflections.

“Apollo, Apollo” contains a composite image of the artist’s hands printed on the mesh fabric. This gesture depicts a moment when the boundaries between painting and photography, image and body, reality and illusion are blurring. “Painting jumps into an unknown sense of reality, so present, like a house, so versatile, like a spirit.” mentioned the artist.