September 13, 2015

Hermann Nitsch at Marc Straus Gallery, New York, September 9 – October 18, 2015

“Nitsch’s (b. 1938) paintings are created during his bold ritualistic performances, which call on all five senses to address the intensification of human existence and reveal deep universal truths. Recalling the anthropometric records of Yves Klein or the shamanistic displays of Jackson Pollock, he explores the human body as a vehicle for his paintings, recording the corporeal existence of the performance’s participants–the hysterical shuffle of dance, a smear or a bloody mark. Nitsch’s paintings bring to life a decree by Austrian philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, that ‘The human body is the best picture of the human soul.’ The paintings are beautiful abstractions symbolizing what it means to be human.” — Marc Straus Gallery

HermannNitsch-2015-Install-09

Left: Schüttbild, 2010. Blood and acrylic on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 1/. Center: Schüttbild, 2011. Acrylic on Canvas, 212 1/2 x 157 1/2 in 540 x 400 cm. Right: Schüttbild, 1998. Blood and acrylic on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm

Hermann-Nitsch,-Schuttbild,-1998,-Blood-and-Acrylic-on-Canvas,-200-x-300-cm

Schüttbild, 1998. Blood and acrylic on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm

HermannNitsch-2015-Install-07

Left: Schüttbild, 2014. Acrylic on Canvas, 39 1/2 x 31 1/2 in 100 x 80 cm. Right: Schüttbild, 2014. Acrylic on Canvas, 31 1/2 x 23 3/4 in 80 x 60 cm

HermannNitsch-2015-Install-02

Installation view of 1st floor

Hermann-Nitsch,-Schuttbild,-1983,-Oil-on-Canvas,-200-x-300-cm

Schüttbild, 1983. Oil on Canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm

HermannNitsch-2015-Install-03

Left: Schüttbild, 2013. Acrylic on Canvas, 78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in 200 x 200 cm. Center: Schüttbild, 2010. Oil on canvas and painting on shirt, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm. Right: Schüttbild, 1986. Acrylic on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm

HermannNitsch-2015-Install-04

Installation view of 1st floor

Hermann Nitsch, Schuttbild, 1992, Oil on canvas and painting on shirt, 200 x 300 cm

Schüttbild, 1992. Oil on Canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm

HermannNitsch-2015-Install-05

Installation view of Gallery 2

Hermann Nitsch, Schuttbild, 2010, Oil on canvas and painting on shirt, 200 x 300 cm (1)

Schüttbild, 2010. Oil on canvas and painting on shirt, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm

HermannNitsch-2015-Install-06

Left: Schüttbild, 2008. Acrylic on Canvas, 39 1/2 x 31 1/2 in 100 x 80 cm. Center: Schüttbild, 2013. Acrylic on Canvas, 39 1/2 x 31 1/2. Right: Schüttbild, 2010. Oil on canvas and painting on shirt, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm

Hermann Nitsch, Schuttbild, 2010, Oil on canvas and painting on shirt, 200 x 300 cm (2)

Schüttbild, 2010. Oil on canvas and painting on shirt, 78 3/4 x 118 1/4 in 200 x 300 cm

Images courtesy Marc Straus Gallery