Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
Michael Werner Gallery on the Upper East Side is currently presenting artist Sigmar Polke’s:’Lens Paintings’. The exhibition features new works by Polke. Sigmar Polke’s career spans 40 years of radical innovation in painting. Each of the twenty six paintings on display is one of a kind. The conceptual frame work of these paintings is grounded in theories set forth by Johann Zahn in his 1685 book, ‘Telescope’. According to Zahn, every luminous object in the universe varies in appearance depending on the viewers position. This theme is reflected through the various interpretations of each of the images in this show.
Art in Review – Sigmar Polke [New York Times]
Overview-Solo show: Sigmar Polke [Artfacts]
Lens Crafter: Critic’s Notebook [The New Yorker]
Michael Werner Gallery Exhibitions [Michael Werner]
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
German Artist Sigar Polke’s “Lens Paintings” were created using vertically ridged sheets of semi-transparent, hand-cast resin, with the consistency of antique glass.  Their form is lenticular, yielding affects of flickering animation when your viewpoint shifts.  Polke works with figurative and abstract techniques to shape these paintings.  This painted “lens” generates a variety of distortions, mutations and spatial illusions when seen from different viewpoints.
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
A selection of the ‘Lens Paintings’ was shown in 2007 at a Museum in Siegen, Germany, on the occasion of Polke being awarded the Rubens prize for painting. Since then, the artist continued to define and develop the series. The ‘Lens Paintings’ were first shown in their entirety at The Arts Club in Chicago earlier this year. The exhibition will remain at Michael Werner until June 19th, 2009.
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ via Michael Werner
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ installation view – via Michael Werner
Sigmar Polke ‘Lens Paintings’ installation view – via Michael Werner
Portrait of Polke via Tate
