The NAK (Neuer Aachener Kunstverein) presents with 'The Epic' the first institutional solo exhibition of the Berlin resident photo and video artist, Pola Sieverding. Topic of the exhibition is the correlation between documentation and staging. In pose, costume and choreography the artist emphasizes the iconography of wrestling, at the same time scrutinizing the validity of narration as well as of pictures in general and photography in particular.
Pola Sieverding arranges her photographic works into spatial casts equal to the nature of an artist’s workshop. In the architectural design of the tribune, which is placed in the upper levels of the exposition, a concrete reference to the setting of athletic competitions and their historical connotation is given. For the exposition at the NAK, the film ‘The Epic’ came into being. It pays special attention to the cinematographic vocabulary of precise camera work to high-contrast montage. In doing so, the formalistic aesthetics of the naked upper part of the boxers’ bodies are accentuated in front of a dark background, and the use of slow-motion techniques simultaneously integrates the spectator positively into the event.
Ben Kaufmann, Curator of the NAK tells GoSee: “Pola Sieverding successfully uses the medium of photography to show sculptural relations, particularly regarding the wrestling series 'Arena', and to create a unique experience of space at the same time with the three-dimensional presentation. The new film EPIC, which was presented at the NAK for the first time, not only has fascinating footage, it is also an exhilarating sound experience thanks to Orson Sieverding.”
The Epic – Pola Sieverding, 3 April – 5 June, 2016.
Passstraße 29, 52070 Aachen