The work of Thomas Rentmeister (born 1964) who lives in Berlin and Cologne attests an independent position in contemporary art. His precise treatment of volume in space, his specific choice of materials and sensitive handling of surfaces seem almost classical in approach.


ohne Titel, 2004, Tempotaschentücher
(Foto: Annette Kradisch Nürnberg)

The spectrum of materials used ranges from chocolate spread, sugar, paper handkerchiefs and baby cream to discarded refrigerators. The white baby cream used to grout the joints between the refrigerators combined to form block-like architectural designs is artistically worked, and the highly-polished circular shapes of the polyester sculptures absorb the light and reflect it all around

Rentmeister's sculptures offer alluring tactile surfaces that, despite their reference to Minimal Art, convey a strong sensory presence. When the fresh smell of baby cream collides with the carefully constructed cube made of 2800 packs of paper handkerchiefs, childhood memories of play, runny noses, and fresh nappies are rekindled. Emotional elements constantly infiltrate the aesthetic appearance of the objects, which subtly and with gentle humour reconnect art to the real world.

Thomas Rentmeister has created six new sculptures for this exhibition in the Kunsthalle Nürnberg. A new room-adapted installation of more than 100 gutted and cleaned refrigerators is planned for the Kunsthalle's large skylight gallery. So what were originally functional objects do not land on the dump but make a carefully prepared stopover at the art gallery - in the undefined area between architecture, painting, and sculpture.

22723, 2004, Kühlschränke, PU-Schaum, Penatencreme (Foto: Annette Kradisch Nürnberg)

The itinerary also stops at the Museum zu Allerheiligen Schaffhausen (May to August 2005) where an altered version of the show will be exhibited adapted to the requirements of the gallery. A comprehensive catalogue will appear with the exhibition providing the first full overview of the work of Thomas Rentmeister to date, published by Verlag Hatje Cantz (66 illustrations, texts in German and English). At the invitation of Thomas Rentmeister Sim&Nic (born 1977, live and work in Berlin) present their actual product Rosenkohl in the project room of the Kunsthalle Nürnberg.

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