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© Kunsthalle Schweinfurt, Photo: Peter Leutsch
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Is there a "Plan B"?
Some may regard art as an escape from the world, as a getaway to an ideal place that shows no disruptions and upheavals, no wars and conflicts. As a wonderful alternative to everything unresolved that is currently occupying us even more than usual. That this does not necessarily correspond to Ottmar Hörl's understanding of art was demonstrated in an exciting solo exhibition that opened in Schweinfurt at the beginning of April. Here, the artist once again showed what art can do: it enables us to take a step back, to assume a new perspective, and then to return to our world richer in experience and with an attitude to scrutinise. Between 8 April and 26 June 2022 and after shows in Venice and South Korea, Kunsthalle Schweinfurt featured another large solo presentation showing pieces from the versatile artist's oeuvre.
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© Kunsthalle Schweinfurt, Photo: Jürgen Schabel
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"Plan B" was the title of the exhibition presented simultaneously at three different locations in Schweinfurt allowing visitors to gain insights into various aspects of Hörl's artistic work. The title outlines "the principle that everything is subject to change, that we as a society constantly change so as to remain flexible." (Hörl) The title of the exhibition was intended as an urgent plea rather than an ironic remark.
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© Kunsthalle Schweinfurt, Photo: Peter Leutsch
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The presentation at Kunsthalle Schweinfurt focused on humanity's relationship to, and interaction with, the planet. Hörl made a connection between the ubiquitous Greta Thunberg, the admonisher, as the "conscience of the world", and a collective address, a "Rede an die Menschheit" [Speech to All Humanity], so to speak a personification of the clarion call to the global community that is so urgently needed.
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© Kunsthalle Schweinfurt, Photo: Peter Leutsch
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© Kunsthalle Schweinfurt, Photo: Peter Leutsch
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Hörl added the dimension of an uncertain future to this field of tension between the individual and society, symbolised by the "oracle" and the installation focusing on the subject of space.
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© Kunsthalle Schweinfurt, Photo: Peter Leutsch
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At the KunstsalonG of the Kunstverein Schweinfurt art society, on the other hand, the focus was on the dubious nature of art: "Shy Sculptures" were concealed in large wooden boxes on which visitors could perceive pictograms. The sculptures were accompanied by an ensemble of "Nervous Sculptures": corrugated cardboard sheets stacked on pedestals.
On the walls, visitors spotted cassette recorders with a sign saying "Drawing speaks".
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© Kunsthalle Schweinfurt, Photo: Jürgen Schabel
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Another installation, "All in", was about an artist's communication model: Is it possible to create a sculpture for everyone? For oligarchs? For sociopaths? And who actually is everyone?
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© Archive Ottmar Hörl
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The third exhibition space was the Sparkassengalerie of the Sparkasse Schweinfurt-Haßberge savings bank showing original works from Ottmar Hörl's "Natural Wonders" series of paintings, laying special emphasis on creativity and sustainability.
A 90-page catalogue has been published to accompany the exhibition. It is available for purchase from the Kunsthalle Schweinfurt museum shop at 9.90 euros.
> Watch the BR video on the exhibition
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© Uwe Dettmar
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Sculptural installation: "Rose bianche", Frankfurt University, 2021
Last winter, the Frankfurt Goethe University commissioned Ottmar Hörl to create an art installation in Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz at Campus Westend, featuring five hundred white roses as a tribute to the victims of the COVID-19 crisis and the carers who achieved superhuman feats. At the same time, the exhibition opened up a potential for future development as the proceeds from the sale of the signed roses went to scholarship students at Goethe University.
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© Archive Ottmar Hörl
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Kunstnacht Landau [Landau Art Night] on 3 June 2022
The time had come again in early June: galleries, museums, and other institutions opened their doors until midnight to all those interested in art. Everyone was invited to gain a glimpse of art collections and exhibitions. VR-Bank Südpfalz presented an installation covering 160 square metres created by Ottmar Hörl. The piece entitled "Es ist nicht alles Gold, was glänzt" [All that glitters is not gold] featured small-scale gilded sculptures by Ottmar Hörl.
Moreover, Ottmar Hörl's golden hens are available for purchase at the VR-Bank Südpfalz co-operative bank with the proceeds going to the Frauenhaus Südpfalz women's safe house.
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© Archive Ottmar Hörl
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© Städtische Museen Hanau
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@ Archive Ottmar Hörl
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Exhibition: "PLATZHALTER – Kunst trifft Natur, Ein Projekt zur Landesgartenschau 2028" [WILDCARD - Art meets nature, A project for the 2028 State Garden Show]
FORUM KUNST ROTTWEIL
Friedrichsplatz 4
78628 Rottweil
17 July to 18 September 2022
> For more details about the exhibition visit
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Exhibition: "The culture of plastic: Art, design, environment."
Omero National Tactile Museum
Mole Vanvitelliana
Banchina Giovanni da Chio 28
60121 Ancona, Italy
20 May to 31 August 2022
> For more details about the exhibition visit
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"Welcome II" in our Shop
We are now offering a slightly different version of the "Welcome" sculpture in our Online Shop.
> Find out more about "Welcome II"
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"Greta" in our Shop
Ottmar Hörl developed the new "Greta" sculpture for his large solo exhibition entitled "Ottmar Hörl – Plan B" presented in Schweinfurt. You may now order the sculpture directly from our Online Shop.
> Find out more about "Greta"
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© Archive Ottmar Hörl
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Since 13 April 2022, the City of Wertheim has made a larger-than-life statement in favour of optimism: the city commissioned Ottmar Hörl to create an XXL size custom-made copy of his "Optimist" sculpture in blue (which is one of the colours used in the city's coat of arms), and inaugurated the figure erected in front of the Grafschaftsmuseum city museum in mid-April.
Even though a good mood should not really depend on external circumstances, an external stimulus may prove helpful now and again. You're cordially invited to visit Wertheim, the city of optimists.
Enjoy a wonderful summer!
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