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In the work of Robert Elfgen (* 1972 in Wesseling, lives in Cologne and Berlin) various strands converge, including contradictory ones. Romantic motifs play a major role, those in which phenomena of local and foreign nature, flora and fauna build a bridge to human feelings and experiences. For Robert Elfgen, owls, foxes, cats, rabbits, bees, grasses and other plants are associated with personal or biographical experiences – as are various vehicles, e.g. skateboards, bicycles, boats, cars, scooters, etc. In addition, artifacts of all kinds, and not least tools. The range of the latter extends from the beekeeper’s whistle to the chainsaw. Robert Elfgen’s diverse work, consisting of films, sculptures, pictures and installations, combines elements that are foreign to art with traditional artistic techniques such as painting and sculpture, engraving, collage or relief printing.
The romantic idea of the lonely creative artist subject or genius is echoed here and is equally undermined by Elfgen’s use of serial elements, simple and complex collage techniques, models, printing blocks and stencils. These are often techniques that can still be individually controlled during the creation process. Sequence, variance, ornament and decoration are fundamental constants for Robert Elfgen’s work. After the unique series for Provinz “der fall der dinge” (2011) and “auf dem weg” (2012) as well as “Galicia” and “Are you in or Out” (both 2016), with “Hüte dich” (2021) he once again examines the many variables and the laws of the series. The different dosage of means and forces and the use of changing colors in turn create varying motifs of a theme.
