Speed of culture, change of sculpture

Wouter Klein Velderman (Deventer, 1979)

A recurring theme in the work of Wouter Klein Velderman is playful interaction between the vulnerable world of culture and the fast world of commerce. He aims to translate elements of speed, functionality and efficiency into sculptural aspects represented through just a skin of fabrics.

In 2006, Klein Velderman started on a series of objects, covered in a fabric made of Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated as PVC. For Klein Velderman this material counts as a huge metaphor for current cultural development. In quick succession it throws up façades that can be easily altered to different messages and different purposes. Like a skin it covers up what was already there. In Lisbon at Christmas 2008 commercial parties used the material to cover up major cultural spots like fountains, statues and squares. For a moment the city of Lisbon showed us the highly interesting possibilities of combining contemporary materials with the classical arts.

The residence of Klein Velderman in the city of Lisbon was initiated by Piercarlo Borgogno,  director of  his contemperary art space in Milano (Italy) and independent curator. He showed  the artist’s recent sculptures in artfair Miart'07 in partnership with W139, an artist-run space in Amsterdam, and  invited him to live and work for six months in the Portuguese capital to develop his new language in contemporary sculpture. Part of the realized  work  is now shown  in the artist’s studio in Rua dos Sapateiros 73. A second selection will be shown in an exhibition  at the end of may  in the Kistê  Gallery space in  Bairro Alto, rua da Barroca  11.

MFA Wouter Klein Velderman Deventer, 1979 lives and works in Amsterdam
Education: 2005/2007 MFA, Sandberg Instituut, Fine Arts Department, Amsterdam, NL- 2001/2005 BA, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, VAV Department , Amsterdam, NL Selection Solo Exhibitions: 2006 SM's, Stedelijk Museum 's Hertogenbosch, 's Hertogenbosch, NL - 2006 #3, W139, Amsterdam, NL Selection Group exhibitions: 2008 FOAM museumnight, Amsterdam, NL - 2008 Landgoed Anningahof, Zwolle, NL - 2008 Kunstvlaai 7 A.P.I. Amsterdam, NL - 2008 De Fabriek, Eindhoven, NL - 2007 Servicegarage, Amsterdam, NL - 2007 Agorafolly outside/inside, Brussel, Be - 2007 Desolation angels, Cluster, Berlin, Du - 2007 Zilt, Strand bij Heemskerk, Heemskerk, NL - 2007 Shelter, Museum De Fundatie, Heino, NL - 2007 Galleria Piercarlo Borgogno & W139, Miart, Fiera Internazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. Milaan, It - 2006 Parkscapes A1, Highwayparkingspace 'Poppe', border of Germany, Du - 2006 Horse Move Project Space, Amsterdam, NL - 2006 De elite is dood. Leve de elite!, P/////AKT, Amsterdam, NL

N.t., 2009,
330x230cm, PVC fabric