| “1627-2007” is a time-trip curated by Christian Ehrentraut at Artnews Projects, Berlin. The young dealer, Ehrentraut, who curates many more external projects than shows within his own gallery, features the works of the young artists Iris van Dongen, Ruprecht von Kaufmann and Dan Attoe in dialogue with the old Dutch masters from the 17th Century. “1627-2007” was arranged without exposing which works were contemporary and which were by the old masters. The no labels approach here was a genuine challenge to most viewers, however the intention was not an elitist one—information on the works was readily available upon request. |  |
1627-2007 at Artnews Projects – Alicia Reuter
“1627-2007” is a time-trip curated by Christian Ehrentraut at Artnews Projects, Berlin. The young dealer, Ehrentraut, who curates many more external projects than shows within his own gallery, features the works of the young artists Iris van Dongen, Ruprecht von Kaufmann and Dan Attoe in dialogue with the old Dutch masters from the 17th Century. “1627-2007” was arranged without exposing which works were contemporary and which were by the old masters. The no labels approach here was a genuine challenge to most viewers, however the intention was not an elitist one—information on the works was readily available upon request. Upon examination and contemplation, the spectator might realize that some elements present here are eternal—a setting sun, trotting horse or breaking waves look no different than those same images created 400 years ago. Ultimately, therefore, the show served as a reminder to all those artists flaunting their hold over the label of “contemporary.”
Set against the old masters’, Ruprecht von Kaufmann’s works had a stunning effect. The rich textures and fragmented arrangements of his paintings are impossible to confuse as anything but contemporary. However, echoes of tradition are visible in the moody depths of the work. A similar feeling was captured in Iris van Dongen’s Exegesis. The drawing, created in 2007, “stands between historical painting and iconography.” Dan Attoe’s work Self Portrait with Down Syndrome, on the other hand, maintains some eerie and specific similarities to Pieter Codde’s Zwei Kavaliere und eine Dirne, ca. 1627.
Artnews Projects is the experimental showroom of the internet platform Artnews.info. It is located at Brunnenstrasse 190, in the fastest growing gallery district in Berlin. The next exhibition presents Pierogi’s flat files, dedicated to an eclectic range of artists and media as well as to maintaining an innovative gallery presence. Artnews Projects is able to renew itself and surprise with every exhibition through its close contact with the Berlin arts scene as well as through ongoing interchange with the international arts community. More information about these artists, galleries and curators can be found at www.artnews.info/projects .
