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Monday, March 13, 2023
04:51 pm CET
By Ronny Waburek

Disrupting Time

Disrupting Time

Carsten Höller's Artistic Journey

Carsten Höller's Artistic Journey

Monday, March 13, 2023, 04:51 pm CET
By Ronny Waburek

Carsten Höller: Black Sliding Window, 2023. Photo: Thomas Bruns, Courtesy the artist and Gagosian

Carsten Höller: Black Sliding Window, 2023. Photo: Thomas Bruns, Courtesy the artist and Gagosian

Carsten Höller: Black Sliding Window, 2023. Photo: Thomas Bruns, Courtesy the artist and Gagosian

The Gagosian Gallery is thrilled to present "Clocks," a groundbreaking exhibition featuring the renowned artist Carsten Höller. This show will unveil a series of new and previously unseen works that explore the impact of time on human behavior.
 
Höller is celebrated for his unconventional approach to art, infusing his scientific background into his creative process. His "Laboratory of Doubt" is a testament to his experimental nature, as he constructs mind-bending experiences that challenge the viewer's perception of reality. From twisting slides to vision-flipping goggles, Höller's works are imbued with playful yet dark humor.
 
Among the highlights of the exhibition is the enigmatic "Half Clock" (2021), a neon sculpture that Höller describes as "the most complicated clock on earth." The sculpture features three encapsulated spheres, each representing seconds, minutes, and hours. Time is indicated by dividing each sphere into spatial units, with the clock's accuracy increasing with each subsequent division.
 
Another mesmerizing piece is "Decimal Clock" (2023), which registers time in a revolutionary manner by applying the decimal system to an illuminated disc composed of twenty blue and orange neon rings. This unique calibration is a nod to a system proposed during the French Revolution, highlighting the arbitrary nature of our current time measurement.
 
Also on view is the intriguing "Black Sliding Window" (2023), featuring darkened glass panels that open on the hour and whenever they are approached. This piece draws attention to the viewer's behavior and creates an active connection between chronology, movement, and space.
Lastly, the giant, polychrome aluminum sculpture "Giant Triple Mushroom" (2023) is a striking representation of evolutionary time, combining cross-sections of three different species of mushrooms. Höller's fascination with the toxic and hallucinogenic fly agaric mushroom is palpable as he explores its potential role in ancient proto-religious culture.
 
Overall, "Clocks" promises to be a thought-provoking and immersive experience that invites viewers to ponder the multifaceted nature of time and its influence on our lives.

CARSTEN HÖLLER
Half Clock, 2021
Neon, cables, stainless steel, acrylic glass, DMX boxes, controller
24 13/16 x 31 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches
63 x 80 x 80 cm
© Carsten Höller
Photo: Carl Henrik Tillberg
Courtesy the artist and Gagosian
CARSTEN HÖLLER
Half Clock, 2021
Neon, cables, stainless steel, acrylic glass, DMX boxes, controller
24 13/16 x 31 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches
63 x 80 x 80 cm
© Carsten Höller
Photo: Carl Henrik Tillberg
Courtesy the artist and Gagosian
CARSTEN HÖLLER
Decimal Clock (White and White), 2018 (detail)
Permanent installation, CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
© Carsten Höller
Photo: Marc Domage
Courtesy the artist and Gagosian
CARSTEN HÖLLER
Decimal Clock (White and White), 2018
Permanent installation, CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
© Carsten Höller
Photo: Marc Domage
Courtesy the artist and Gagosian