ARTIST STATEMENT

On September 30th, 1938, a sculptor named Ulrich Rückriem was born in Dusseldorf, Germany. He is known for his splendid ability to make sculptures out of stone. His style tends to have a minimalist nature to them. He was an apprentice for a few years in order to learn the art of sculpting. Rückriem attended The University of Fine Arts of Hamburg, Arts Academy of the city of Dusseldorf, And Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste. He also was apprentice in Duren, Germany. The Sculpting of stone is a very unforgiving one so his preparations for the art was immense. Ulrich Rückriem was a freelancer starting from the year 1963 till now. He was able to build a career and make contact with other artist due to his connections with the Gallery Konrad Fischer in Dusseldorf, Germany. He also worked at “quarry of Dolomite at Anldorf, museum Städel in Frankfurt am Main, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and Neue Nationalgalerie in the 1960s and 1970s. “.

In the year 1989, he created a piece called “Untitled” and completely changed the mindsets of millions of people. He showed the jaggedness that unity has to offer. He continues to offer his art to change the world. He currently has about 100 of his art pieces in “The Sculpture Halls Ulrich Rückriem in Sinsteden”. Ulrich Rückriem is currently living his day out in Cologne, Ireland.

THE YEAR

In 1989, Ulrich Rückriem released an art piece that was called “Untitled”. Very little information was released on the art piece from the artist. So, it kind of made people focus on what may have been going on around the time that it was made. The release of Tim Burton’s “Batman” came out.  Exxon Valdez spilled about 11 million gallons of oil into the Alaskan waters making it the biggest oil in history. The Fall of the Berlin wall also took place in 1989 and may have made a major effect on the art piece seeing as how it is in Rückriem’s home country. The fall of The Berlin completely changed the dynamic of the country and east Germans were allowed to cross the border. Could this have been the inspiration for the art piece?

 

 

ARTIST STATEMENT

Inspired by Ulrich Rückriem’s Untitled we see that diffrences collide to become similarties. The short film we created explores our reactions to the piece, the size of the sculpture gave us an impression of growth and the hole in the middle gives the veiwer a sense of womb like security. This film explores and realizes those feelings in the image of a oddly shaped creature who’s personal growth has them yearning for security and somewhere to nestle in. As college students who get homesick we can relate to this odd little fellow and his journey. Produced by Will Roth and Sirad Mohamoud and drawn by Nicole Sletta

 

SOURCES

“The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: 25 Years Ago Today” March 24, 2014 LINK

Fall of the Berlin Wall and Reunification (1989 – 1990) | German history | DW | 22.04.2013 LINK

“Ulrich Rückriem.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Oct. 2017,  LINK

“Western Washington University.” WESTERN GALLERY,  LINK

“Personal Structures” ULRICH RUCKRIEM,  LINK

Music: Piero Umiliani- Risaie (1971) LINK