Prague
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Discover Michael Biberstein: Towards Silence – A Landmark Exhibition of Landscape Paintings in Prague

Explore Swiss painter Michael Biberstein's profound artificial fantasy landscapes, drawing from European and traditional Chinese art forms.

This significant exhibition presents Michael Biberstein's thought-provoking artistic journey at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague. Featuring new pictures alongside key works from the 1990s, the collection delves into his unique vision of artificial fantasy landscapes. Biberstein's monumental paintings explore the intersection of European traditions and traditional Chinese art, serving as powerful metaphors for experiencing landscape and contemplating humanity's place in the universe.

About Michael Biberstein: Towards Silence at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Michael Biberstein: Towards Silence at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Exhibition summary

This exhibition showcased the work of Swiss painter Michael Biberstein, featuring a collection of new pictures alongside key works from the 1990s. The project explored artificial fantasy landscapes, drawing from European painting traditions and traditional Chinese art, serving as metaphors for a way of thinking about and experiencing landscape.

Curatorial context

The exhibition "Towards Silence" at Galerie Rudolfinum presented a significant collection of works by Swiss painter Michael Biberstein (1948). The artist's project for the gallery included a substantial number of new paintings, complemented by important pieces from the 1990s. Biberstein's art is characterized by its creation of artificial fantasy landscapes, deeply rooted in the venerable tradition of European painting. However, his work does not merely reproduce reality or existing artworks; instead, it functions as a mosaic of core formulae found in landscape painting, recently incorporating elements from traditional Chinese art. These monumental works are conceptualized as metaphors for landscape, representing a method of contemplating and engaging with landscape rather than depicting a specific physical location. Biberstein's artistic journey, from his analytical and conceptual explorations of the 1970s and 80s focusing on the 'semiotics of the picture,' evolved towards a more dramatic and exaggerated style in the late 80s, with baroque landscapes under stormy skies. In the 1990s, his paintings grew in scale, and his focus shifted towards the boundless sky above the landscape, exploring the infinite nuances of air, clouds, mist, and light. Despite the imaginative ambiguity and transcendental force that emerged, the rational aspect of his conceptual thought remained a constant. Through these imaginary landscapes, Biberstein delves into profound philosophical questions about humanity's connection to the world and the vast, uncontainable universe beyond human control. This exhibition, "Towards Silence," continues Galerie Rudolfinum's engagement with contemporary landscape art, following exhibitions by Qiu Shi-hua and Pavel Baňka, and a related film project on Robert Lax.

Admission and ticket notes

Admission is voluntary. Last entry to the exhibition is strictly 30 minutes before closing time. The gallery is closed on Mondays and Thursdays, and open Tuesday–Sunday, though specific hours are not provided beyond closing time indications related to last entry. Please note: The provided operating hours ('Monday CLOSED', 'Tuesday–Sunday CLOSED', 'Thursday CLOSED') seem contradictory to the 'last entry' and 'return on another day' information, and likely reflect outdated or incomplete information. Visitors are advised to check official channels for current opening times and admission policies. The general address is Alšovo nábřeží 12, 110 00 Prague 1.

Michael Biberstein: Towards Silence key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Michael Biberstein: Towards Silence at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Venue
Galerie Rudolfinum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Dec 14, 2001
Artist line / attribution
Featuring works by Swiss painter Michael Biberstein (1948). Curated by Petr Nedoma.
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