Entering Continuities

Das Buch präsentiert und verbindet die künstlerischen Arbeiten von Schaitl und Frank mit theoretischen Texten von sechs internationalen Autor*innen und setzt diese in den breitgefächerten Kanon zeitgenössischer Kunstpraxen. Es ermöglicht den Leser*innen einen tiefen Einblick in die Praxis der beiden Künstler und eröffnet durch die ergänzenden Texte vielschichtige Sichtweisen darauf.
Das Buch ist der erste Katalog, der einen konkreten Einblick in die individuelle Arbeit von diesen zwei unterschiedlichen, aber sich gegenseitig inspirierenden Künstlercharakteren gibt, die in ihrer Kollaboration eine neue Handschrift entwickeln und gemeinsam neue Wege beschreiten.

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In their collaborative, international and interdisciplinary projects, Jasmin Schaitl and Matěj Frank combine, interweave and further develop their working methods of performative drawing, installation and performance, discovering space and the present ‘now’ by leaving traces, remembering the ‘past’. (Ruth Mateus-Berr, Social Designer, Artist, Researcher, Educator) We reflect on their effort to draw attention to the necessity of inner concentration for a deeper experience of the secret of life, the stress put on the beauty of simple movements, the awareness and experience of present time. It is possible to see in their activity an emphasis on the return to simplicity and purity so distant from any opulence, showing off and wilful acts. Schaitl and Frank’s practice doesn’t describe, it merely hints gently; it’s reserved, simple, and gentle. It unfolds in time and at the same time makes time a theme. (Martin Klimeš, Curator) What they mostly develop through their practices is a sensitivity toward their surroundings. Their projects stimulate perceptiveness and empathy; they sharpen the senses and eventually lead to or motivate self-awareness in the middle of the present-day world. However, they don’t offer a possible explanation, even less so an understanding. They expect that the longing to enter the country behind the looking glass is inherent in each one of us. (Tomáš Knoflíček, Curator, Art Historian) Having followed the work of Jasmin and Matěj for a number of years and having collaborated with them on several occasions, I feel ever more confident identifying the key features of their art. For me, these recurring features bring back the emotions I felt when attending their performances and exhibitions for the first time. (Jakub Frank, Curator, Art Historian)