BATTLEFIELD
2010
Stove-enamelled aluminium plate with war toys
127 x 267 cm, Edition of 3 + 2 AP
205 x 410 cm, Edition of 3 + 2 AP
In the monumental BATTLEFIELD you can perceive at first only the letters of the plastic protruding LOVE, which is the sweet pink color uniformly blended with. On closer inspection, you realize that the letters are made from countless toy soldiers and tanks. They stand in rows and are forced into subordinate formations attracted to the color as a standard sauce, so that the actors remain nameless, they deserve no more individuality. At the same time, the color of vulnerable human skin of the soldiers return to our flesh and blood. The pink color is caused by the mixture of red, which stands for blood, and white symbolizing the purity. In a subtle way the artwork brings to express that irresolvable opposites seemingly can arise from one another, that love can develop from a battlefield and a battlefield from love.
Battlefield Love Memorial
Artikel im Cicero Magazin, 09.04.2012
Battlefield Love Memorial ist ein Denkmal, dessen Botschaft erst durch das aktive Mitwirken von Mensch (Zugriff) und Natur (Erosion) zu einem Zeugnis wider die Gewalt wird. Ein Denkmal, aus dessen vermeintlicher Zerstörung die positive Macht der Liebe erwächst. Der erste Eindruck des Betrachters entsteht aus oberflächlicher Wahrnehmung – erst die körperliche Distanzierung zu der monumentalen Installation erlaubt durch den Perspektivenwechsel den Blick in die Unterfläche der Botschaft: Zuerst werden lebensgroße Soldaten zweier Armeen, die aufeinander stürmen, wahrgenommen. Gleich einem konventionellen Denkmal ist die Szenerie erstarrt. Kein Vor und Zurück, keine Bewegung, gefrorene Positionen. Der Betrachter geht durch die beklemmende Szenerie - irritiert, verunsichert, schockiert. Ein gewaltiges, sinnloses und perspektivenloses Schlachtfeld.
Der Mensch in seiner tiefsten Unkultur.
Es ist der Perspektivenwechsel, der diese brutale Verknotung löst: Distanziert sich der Besucher und richtet er seinen Blick aus höherer Position (Gebäude, Treppe, Hügel, Turm) auf das Schlachtfeld so erkennt er, dass die Szene nicht ein Ende, sondern einen Anfang formt. Die Soldaten und Panzer bilden den Schriftzug LOVE. Was aus zu enger Betrachtung unsichtbar blieb, wurde erst durch die Gewinnung des nötigen Abstandes deutlich. Die Botschaft entsteht erneut beim Empfänger, doch diesmal neigt sie sich dem Leben und nicht dem Tod zu.
Der Mensch in seinem tiefsten Urwunsch.
Nikolaus Eberstaller, April 2013
WE COME FROM SHOPPING WE ARE NOT SATISFIED - WE GO TO BUY MORE WE DON´T MIND
2011
Giclée print
35,7 x 26,4 cm
Edition of 9 + 3 AP
N°2 - Shrunked Liberty
2011
series: little liberties
giclée print and passepartout
behind museum glass, framed (white wood)
60 x 50 cm / 23,6 x 19,7 inches
36 x 24 cm / 14,17 x 9,45 inches (image size)
edition 25 + 5 AP
HONEY Home Made Money
2011
7 nominal front and back sides
75 x 55 x 4.5 cm
70 x 50 cm (image size)
framed with museumglass
edition 50 + 5 AP
Also invented by Eberstaller the currency HONEY juxtaposes opposites. It shows that money has a hand of peace and another full of destructive consequences, depending on how it is used. On the back of each certificate a baroque castle appears in a park, a sunny idyll that symbolizes prosperity and peace as a result of meaningful invested money. However, on the other side allegorical representations of the seven deadly sins - Acedia, Luxuria, Gula, Invidia, Avaritia, Ira and Superbia. Eberstaller draws on these pictures from his rich knowledge of the compositions of old masters like Hieronymus Bosch and Marcantonio Raimondi, which he often subtly alienates with a humorous undertone. In addition, the artists also used to hold photographs, current events such as the measurement of radiation exposure of children after the Chernobyl or the disaster of Fukushima. The images are accompanied by animals, which symbolize the respective mortal sins according to medieval tradition. Besides logos of large international corporations appear such as Smith & Wesson or IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), showing exert negative effects on such industries, social life and the environment and ultimately hate and discord. Finally, hiding behind the serial numbers on the right edge of the bills, the exact dates of those wars, from the beginning of the second world war, to the most devastating consequences. The inscription "Worthless unless transformed" calls to mind that the existence of money in itself has no effect, but only when it is used, it is only when claiming a counter value. This exchange may have meaningful consequences or objectionable, which call the impressive pictures on the notes in memory. As the saying goes, they are the two sides of a coin. The allegorical images provide a wealth of suggestions to further reflect on the consequences of the money that is worthless in itself and yet exerts such a lasting impact by affecting the flow of the entire life.
Dr. Achim Gnann/ Curator Albertina, Vienna/AT
ASHES
2011
installation
ash, burned Honey- banknotes
250 cm ø
Marie Cochon
Nikolaus Eberstaller und Barbara Eberstaller-Wendelin
Marie Cochons Performance vor dem Wiener Parlament
2012
Giclee Print
80 x 60 cm
Edition of 50
A money-stuffed pig wandered through Vienna in 2012. Renowned media reported from over 13 countries, including the Wall Street Journal, Time and Paris Match. Currently Nikolaus Eberstaller and Barbara Eberstaller-Wendelin won a LICC Award in London for the best performance.
Marie Cochon protests with her performance art against the social irreconcilable exorbitance – the greed at the expense of others. Marie wants to meet the human, with against whom she proves her loyalty, on the street. Therefore she travels the world. During her private city tours she compares notes, shares her nutrition-free food with the needy and broadens her view of the world. On location she reflects on luxury, exclusivity, abundance. And if that all is compulsory only achieved by money. At work she has two assistants at her side: Nikolaus and Barbara Eberstaller.
www.marie-cochon.com
MARIE COCHON 2
Performance pig Nikolaus Eberstaller and Barbara Eberstaller-Wendelin
www.marie-cochon.com
A money-stuffed pig wandered through Vienna in 2012. Renowned media reported from over 13 countries, including the
Wall Street Journal, Time and Paris Match. Currently Nikolaus Eberstaller and Barbara Eberstaller-Wendelin won a LICC Award in London for the best performance. Marie Cochon protests with her performance art against the social irreconcilable exorbitance – the greed at the expense of others. Marie wants to meet the human, with against whom she proves her loyalty, on the street. Therefore she travels the world. During her private city tours she compares notes, shares her nutrition-free food with the needy and broadens her view of the world. On location she reflects on luxury, exclusivity, abundance. And if that all is compulsory only achieved by money. At work
she has two assistants at her side: Nikolaus and Barbara Eberstaller.
DER VERSUCH, DEN MOND ZU UPDATEN
2010
Drawing
50 x 65 cm
DER VERSUCH, DEN MOND VERLOREN ERSCHEINEN ZU LASSEN
2010
Drawing
65 x 50 cm
EVOLUTION BABY
2008
series: Eberstaller & Wywiórski
Original paintings by Michail Gorskin Wywiórski & Digital Reflex by Nikolaus Eberstaller as Giclée print
18 x 29 cm (each)
SMOKE NO 4
2008
Series: SMOKE
Acrylic, chalk on canvas
120 x 120 cm
RED CHERUB
2005
Stove enameled Bronze
82 x 52 x 29 cm
Edition of 7 + 2 AP