Galerie Iris Cornelis
Katharina D. Martin | skin-deep
10.09.2011 – 20.10.2011

White-wax wall-installation | The wall-installation which extends over the two floors of the gallery space is composed of individual white wax plates. The single pieces are in the size of an Din-A-4 paper, and it almost appears to be a wall filled with empty pages. Empty pages which all could be filled with one's ideas and wishes. At a closer look one becomes aware of the wax, which has been used to hand-mold the wall pieces. Since the 16 Century wax was the favorite material for body and organ-model. The softness and the satin glance gives the impression of living skin. In this wall-installation Martin uses this material in it's essence form. The sunlight will warm up certain parts of the installation and the plates will form themselves in an very organic way.

LH objects | The 'LH objects' are hand tailored out of latex and filled with human hair. Each form is unique, and even the latex material comes from a special production method by the artist. The objects have different shades of beige and brown like the natural coloring of leather. All pieces are hand sewed and in some places you can see the hair sticking out through the seams. With every single hair which has been collected Martin's work reveals it's authenticity and uniqueness. The full aesthetic experience you will just have when you touch the objects. The softness of the filling and the unusual artificial outer skin, makes this experience nonpareil. All the forms could have a purpose and seem like a tool for some secret assignment, which is not to be revealed.

Roßkur | The title of this work refers to the German expression 'Roßkur' which is understood as a medical treatment with the help of drastic and controversial methods. In Grimm's Dictionary, the 'Roßkur' was a daring cure with egregious procedures. In her video, Martin is wearing a latex costume, wooden shoes, and attached to her head, she has a horse's tail, which partially covers her face. She shakes her head and brings the horse's tail to swing. Her repeated steps make a loud sound which resembles hooves. In this looped video, is not just been played with the identification of a female, objectified as a horse, Martin clearly refers to the fact of the repetition in life. By repeating her act, Martin tries to integrate her performed image into a symbolic order. The video is shown in addition to the costume itself. The shoes, the latex skirt and jacket, and the attachment with the horse's tail are displayed. A video will always be virtual but by showing the performance dressings as objects, Martin enables the spectator to relate to the video in a non-virtual way.

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