SOLO SHOW ZURICH

Acid Symphony

03.02.24 – 29.02.24

Ever wondered what happens to graffiti after it disappears from the streets? Thierry Furger dives into this transient world with his ‘Buffed Paintings’. Using the same methods as train staff to erase graffiti, Furger captures the essence of graffitis impermanence. Graffiti and its cleaning process belong to the streets, yet they are Furger’s biggest muse.

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Artists – Thierry Furger
Type – SOLO Exhibition
Location – ZURICH
Dates – 03.02.24 – 29.02.24

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In his artistic exploration, Furger engages in a multi-layered process involving the application of graffiti on metal or aluminum boards, followed by intentional cleaning or over-painting with graffiti-killers. This deliberate intervention allows him to navigate and manipulate the effects of transience, resulting in diverse compositions of color clouds, wipe marks, drips, and swings driven by spontaneous chemical reactions. Contrary to the conventional high gloss appearance of art in gallery settings, Furger’s pieces challenge these norms, offering a deliberate departure from typical representations of lettering, calligraphy, and style. Instead, his work presents an abstract portrayal of the aesthetics of speed and transience.

This intricate process of graffiti application, cleaning, and over-painting introduces an additional layer of transience, as solvents used in cleaning can leave stains and discolorations on the original material. Repainting this process can lead to unintentional and spontaneous chemical reactions, emphasizing the transient nature of graffiti.

„ On canvas it is not graffiti anymore.“

Thierry Furger, 2024.

Through this exhibition, Furger builds a lasting art work on many ephemeral processes. Whether portraying tags, throw-ups, or masterpieces, Furger transcends the traditional interpretation of graffiti, showcasing the constant oscillation between creation and disappearance. His aluminum works, rooted in abstract expressionism, challenge the conventional understanding of letters in everyday life, presenting them as integral components of a complete work of art. The ambiguous messages conveyed in his tags, pieces, and studio works demand contemplation, allowing for deconstruction and open interpretation. Furger’s creative practice revolves around the dynamic interplay between the eternal and finite aspects of graffiti, always encapsulating a glimpse of transience and aiming to make the ephemeral visible.

Since 2007 Thierry Furger has been researching the transience and aesthetics of illegal tags and pieces. During his research on the ephemeral phenomenon, the different series of his artistic practice emerged. As an artist and observer of society, Furger explores the aesthetic forms of graffiti culture.

Tania Di Brita

More about THIERRY FURGER

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