Karl Karlas (1991) draws inspiration from the passage of time and the traces this leaves behind. Them is fascinated by how this brings about change in both humans and nature. Sometimes these traces only become visible after many years; like stalactite and stalagmite. Sometimes these traces will slowly disappear again, such as a path in the woods that over time closes with the undergrowth once again. Yet other times they are fleeting traces that are wiped away by rain and wind or picked up by people the next day, such as leaves or cigarette butts on the ground in a park, feathers of a bird or pieces of plastic that have washed ashore.
Karlas is interested in leftover materials from both humans and nature. Some found by chance, others collected deliberately. Mostly material that the majority of the people would consider to be waste. Thus the work is always in some way connected to the topic of sustainability. For example, inspiration is taken from packaging material, the remains of an abandoned bird’s nest or the surplus material from the renovation of a house. According to Karlas there is always a new story to be found in these traces.
Karlas works intuitively which means that choices are made instinctively during the artistic research process. This leads to innovative combinations of sustainable and/or upcylced materials. When conducting artistic research the materials are the starting point and guiding element. With a strong sense of imagination answers to questions and aesthetics in everyday life are pursued. Karlas is specifically fascinated by the ‘not-yet-knowing’.
The resulting sculptures and installations show a cross between reality and surreality. The work raises questions about the boundaries between the natural and the artificial by connecting them in unexpected ways.
For more information www.karlkarlas.nl
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