Blieskastel. An exciting art exhibition with sculptures by Denise Altenkirch and paintings by Rudolf Schappert will open on Friday, September 9th, in the Orangerie.
After studying German studies and fine arts, Rudolf Schappert from Homburg works as a teacher, spending 19 years teaching in Gersheim. Schappert has already exhibited his works in several exhibitions. Typical for his artistic works is the incorporation of various materials such as cardboard, quartz sand, paper tissues, metal, and dried plants. These give his works a distinctive relief character and striking spatiality. Strong contrasts between shapes and materials enhance the effect, as does the color palette of earth and asphalt tones against white backgrounds. According to Schappert, his paintings are a critical engagement with human characters, social structures in our society, and with our environment.
Together with the Raku figures by the Gersheim artist Denise Altenkirch, an exciting exhibition is taking shape. Altenkirch has presented her clay works at numerous group and solo exhibitions. Since 1989, she has also been working as a lecturer. For her work, the unity of form and surface is important and made possible by the Raku firing technique. She is interested in the diversity and infinity of organic forms, their individual character, even though their structure is inherently similar. Human bones as well as the framework of a plant bear a striking resemblance to each other. For Altenkirch, representations of the human body are closely connected with those of plant forms. She sees her best teachers, on the one hand, in nature, and on the other, in indigenous peoples with their archaic works. She regards the Raku technique as an exhilarating experience. The physical engagement with fire, heat, heavy sculptures, and sometimes adverse weather conditions that come with the Raku technique occasionally pushes ceramic artists to the limits of their abilities. One is fully compensated by a successful work, though this is not always the case. Handling open fire requires pyromaniac tendencies, as well as a willingness to take risks, since the outcome can result in completely failed as well as outstanding works. For the artist, Raku combines the demand for great skill with voluntary submission and the readiness to surrender to the four elements. The Raku firing is an exhilarating experience, is the conclusion drawn by the artist Denise Altenkirch.
For the exhibition opening on Friday, September 9, 2022, Mayor Bernd Hertzler warmly invites the interested public to the Orangerie in Blieskastel at 6:00 PM. The musical accompaniment will be provided by Hans Bollinger, and the laudation for the two artists will be given by the art historian Sarah Maurer.
The exhibition featuring Denise Altenkirch: Sculptures and Rudolf Schappert: Paintings at the Orangerie Blieskastel is open from September 9 to 25, 2022, with free admission. Opening hours: Tue – Sun 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
