Park Avenue Project

New York 2014

Artist Statement

New York and its buildings can be viewed as a series of giant, man-made sculptures. In their structure, Hilgemann recognizes the same dynamics, the elements of seriality and rhythm that define his work.

In recent years, Hilgemann incorporates natural powers and physics to obtain an artistic result that refers to contemporary life, to innovations, as well as to the unpredictability of nature. His creative method concentrates on imploding geometrical volumes; mass and empty space molded under the influence of forces from outside. To him, implosion represents the inward spiral of energy to reach the core and mystery of matter, the ultimate beauty of creation.

Hilgemann was strongly influenced by the artists of Germany’s ZERO group, who will be the focus of the Guggenheim’s ’Countdown to Tomorrow: The International ZERO Network, 1950s-60s’ to open in October.

’Moments in a Stream’

Ewerdt Hilgemann has executed 7 monumental sculptures, single pieces as well as grouped works specifically for the exhibition entitled ’Moments in a Stream’ on Park Avenue, NYC from August 1til November 7, 2014.

These sculptures are made out of Stainless Steel, a material that relates to its surroundings by reflection.

Similar works have been realized in the past, either on a similar scale in public space, in private gardens, or as indoor models.

Hilgemann’s career as a Sculptor covers 50 years of exhibitions world wide, i.e. Europe, Asia and the Unites States of America.

’Moments in a Stream’

For his sculpture groups, Hilgemann has selected the intersections and medians between 52nd and 67th Street on Park Avenue.

1.’Cube Flower’, Median between 52 & 53 2.’Threesome (Caryatids)’, Intersection 54 S 3.’Triple’, Intersection 57 N 4.’Dancers (Tango)’, Intersection 59 N 5.’Double’, Intersection 64 N 6.’Cube’, Intersection 65 N 7.’Habakuk’, Intersection 67 S

The next pages show a photoshop version of the 7 different locations, in order to give an impression of the impact of the work.

‘Cube Flower’, 4 parts, 8x4x4 ft each @ Median between 52 & 538

Reference: ‘Four Parts of a Cube’, 1995, 5 x 2.5 x 2.5 ft eachInstallation view Private Collection, Berlin, Germany

‘Threesome (Caryatids)’, 3 pieces, different heights (20ft-18ft-16ftx3.3x3.3ft) @ Intersection 54 S10

Reference: ‘Atlas’, 2000, 7.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 ftInstallation view Art Cologne, Germany

‘Triple’, 20x4x4 ft @ Intersection 57 N12

Reference: ‘Triple’, 2004, 7.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 ftInstallation view Private Collection, Munich, Germany

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‘Dancers (Tango)’, 2 parts, 20x4x4 ft each @ Intersection 59 N

Reference: ‘Three Graces’, 2011, 20 x 3.3 x 3.3 ft eachInstallation view Messer Group, Bad Soden, Germany

‘Double’, 20x5x5 ft @ Intersection 64 N16

Reference: ‘Double’, 2008, 8 x 2 x 2 ftInstallation view Art Karlsruhe, Germany

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‘Cube’, 6.5x6.5x6.5 ft @ Intersection 65 N

Reference: ‘Cube’, 19976.5x6.5x6.5 ftInstallation view Busan Biennial, Korea

‘Habakuk (Homage to Max Ernst)’, 20x6.5x6.5 ft @ Intersection 67 S20

Reference: ‘Quint’, 2007, 12.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 ftInstallation view Private Collection, Hamburg, Germany

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Installation and Anchoring

Hilgemann and his team are familiar with large scale sculptures in public spaces. Careful calculations are being made by State approved engineers to safeguard both sculptures and environment from damage.

All sculptures will be anchored according to their height and weight in order to resist eventual storms up to 120 miles/h and are made of Stainless or Weathering steel.

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About the Artist

Ewerdt Hilgemann was born 1938 in Witten, Germany. He works and lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

His sculptures are shown in many parts of the world and are represented in several private and public collections, such as

recently: ’Triple NY’, private collection, USA Kunsthalle Bremen, Germany Kröller Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands

Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art, Istanbul, Turkey New Pacific, Beverly Hils, California Vasarely Museum, Budapest, Hungary Rijksmuseum Twente, Enschede, Netherlands Museum Mondrian House, Amersfoort, Netherlands Museum of Contemporary Art, Gelsenkirchen, Germany Il-San Lake Sculpture, Ko-Yang City, Korea Wilhelm-Hack Museum, Ludwigshafen, Germany Ruppert Collection, Museum Würzburg, Germany City of Sárospatak, Hungary Gorcums Museum, Gorinchem, Netherlands Technical University, Delft, Netherlands IBB Investment Bank, Berlin, Germany Museum of Concrete Art, Ingolstadt, Germany Museum Lenbach Haus, Munich, Germany Museum of Contemporary Art, Dordrecht, Netherlands University of Nymegen, Netherlands Amsterdam Medical Center IWO, Amsterdam, Netherlands Gemeentemuseum, Arnhem, Netherlands Sculpture Park, Dordrecht, Netherlands City of Amsterdam, Netherlands Groninger Museum, Groningen, Netherlands Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht, Netherlands Louisiana Museum of Contemporary Art, Humlebaek, Denmark Museum Abteiberg, Mönchengladbach, Germany Museum of Contemporary Art, Lodz, Poland Museum of Contemporary Art, Witten, Germany

Credits © ART AFFAIRS and the individual authors Layout & Photo edit, Gianni Hilgemann Ewerdt Hilgemann, (p.2,18) Helmut Bauer, Ingolstadt (p.4) Antoinette de Stigter, Amsterdam (p.6,10,20) Jochen Littkemann, Berlin (p.8) Stefan Madaus, Munich (p.12) Thomas Emden-Weinert, Mörfelden (p.14) Galerie Neher, Essen (p.16) Steven van Welie, Zwolle (p.22) Georg Ammerlaan, Bergen (p.24)

HILGEMANN PROJECTS Kai Hilgemann BERLIN +49 170 9669 692 NYC +1 917 963 2761 kai@kaihilgemann.com www.kaihilgemann.com