KÜNSTLERHAUS

BETHANIEN

Exhibition

François Martig

The Dawn

The artist François Martig uses a wide range of media, from sculptural and sound installations to radio documentaries and photography in his. In addition to his visual work, he produces live sound and music performances as well as soundtracks combining soundscapes, field recordings, electro-acoustic music and noise. In 2005 Martig started working on his long-term project Robinsonhotel, where he explores landscape as an evolving socio-economic and political spatial entity and phenomenon. In reference to Robinsonhotel Martig created his exhibition The Dawn at Künstlerhaus Bethanien highlighting the human will to manage the landscape. The Zone Rouge (Red Zone) refers to an area of approximately 120 000 acres in what used to be First World War battle-ground in Northern and Eastern France. The war’s impacts on nature were so devastating that there are still measurable chemical residues in the grounds, which are closed to the public, whilst cities like Verdun have become hot spots for military tourism today. As a post-war decree, Germany gave France Black Pine trees to help reforest the land around Verdun. Currently this forest is known for its cheap timber. For his project Zone Rouge (2007-2012) Martig bought 1 m3 of pine timber from the area and brought it back to Germany. He combines the wood with postcards, which show an image of the former battleground and inform the viewers about this unknown story. In addition a wasteland occupies the gallery space with soil taken from the sculpture garden in Berlin and a two-channel film projected from a watchtower shows found-footage videos of the worldwide deforestation.

François Martig was born in 1978, lives and works in France and Belgium. His works have been exhibited among others at Luxemburg Triennial of Contemporary Art, Frac Lorraine and Frac Alsace, Contemporary art museum of Strasbourg.

Exhibition
17.08. – 16.09.2012
Tue - Sun: 2 - 7pm
Admission free

Opening
16.08.2012
7 - 10pm

François Martig is a grantee of the Département de la Moselle, France.