Manfred Pernice: sculpturama – An Engaging Contemporary Art Exhibition at Secession

This exhibition features the work of Berlin-based artist Manfred Pernice, who designed the show specifically for the Secession's main hall. His sculptural pieces, constructed from materials like cardboard, concrete, and metal, are enhanced with texts and maps, critically examining urban environments and modern systems.

Manfred Pernice, an artist based in Berlin, conceived the exhibition 'sculpturama' especially for the main room of the Secession. His sculptural works are constructed from simple materials such as cardboard, chipboard, concrete, and metal, often augmented with texts, maps, or photocopies. Drawing from observations of the urban environment, Pernice highlights its shortcomings and subjects the ordering systems of modernity to fundamental critique. His works establish an interplay between autonomous form and an installative, narrative, and site-specific character, negotiating good and bad form, perfection and inaccuracy, realism and abstraction. The exhibition title, 'sculpturama', alludes to a panorama-like, almost symmetrical arrangement of the works that opens up the space through sightlines and interrelationships. Directly in front of the entrance, Pernice positioned an architectural sculpture resembling the unfinished structure of an autobahn bridge. This piece offers visitors a dual perspective: one from the underpass through which they are guided, and another from the platform accessible via a hidden side staircase. Furthermore, 'sculpturama' directly addresses the theme of the possibilities and history of sculpture. Its fundamental characteristics—proportions, surface structures, material properties, the relationship between volumes, and especially the interaction between sculpture and viewer—are explored as if in a 'theme park.' The question of physicality and perception is exemplified by two central sculptures, 'Kaffee u. Kuchen' and 'o. T.' These pieces rotate slowly, negating the need for viewers to walk around them to see all sides. The exhibition highlights how, despite the increasing visual power of flatter media, old habits of perception persist, leading to the surprise that sculpture is, indeed, three-dimensional.

Information on visiting the Secession, including opening hours (Tuesday-Sunday, 10 AM - 6 PM), and a link to purchase tickets is available. The exhibition dates are clearly stated. General ticket purchase links are provided on the site but specific exhibition ticket policies are not detailed beyond general access information. Visitors are directed to a ticketing link for purchases and general information is available under 'Information & Tickets'. Opening Hours: Tue-Sun / 10 AM - 6 PM