DOCUMENTATION CHRISTINA BENZ
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DOCUMENTATION
CHRISTINA BENZ
November 2012 © Christina Benz
content 03 intro 04 lucky devils, 2012 08 hurry up, man!, 2012 12 twinkle twinkle, 2012 16 take it or leave it, 2010 20 you‘re on, 2010 24 unfold, 2009 28 station, 2008 32 driven, 2008 36 trapped, 2006 40 turn, 2006 44 pool, 2005 48 numbered, 2005 52 pending (‚water‘), 2004 56 pending (‚lift‘), 2004 60 pending (‚feathers‘), 2004 64 there is always hope, 2004 68 hit and miss, 2004 72 the lake, 2003/04 76 biography 80 contact
intro
Christina Benz, born 1972 in Zurich, studied Fine Art at Christina Benz‘ works are visual comments on today‘s
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London society. Previous works deal with the fragility of being
and completed a Masters degree in Fine Arts at Zurich and contain minimal scenarios with dark but humorous
University of the Arts. Benz’s work has been selected undertones. Many of the protagonists are constrained
for solo positions at several international art fairs inclu- in prolonged repetitive situations, however undeterred
ding ARCO, Artissima and VOLTA NY presented by The they continually strive to change their situation. The
Cynthia Corbett Gallery. Her video installations have most recent works focus on media culture in particular.
been exhibited in galleries in Zurich, London, Barcelona Benz touches upon issues of identity linked to consu-
and Brussels. In 2010 her work featured at the Centre merism, branding and self promotion. The artist offers
for International Light Art in Unna, Germany. Benz has her playfully clever criticism on the diktat of the meri-
been shortlisted for the Young Masters Art Prize 2012. tocracy.
33
lucky devils video on monitor, 3-channel version (same titled work exists also in a single-channel version), HD, 1‘04“ loop, sound Kurt Schlegel, 2012 On three monitors, word fragments rotate like icons of a slot machine. The rotation is activated without any in- fluence of the viewer – there is no lever or a slot to in- sert coins. The rotating word fragments would make up well-known words if the reels stopped in the right order: “love”, “wealth”, “glory” to name a few. They represent common values of our society that are no longer restric- ted to ideals linked to honour, moderation or morals in general. image: video still 4
installation view Sihlquai 55, Zurich, 2012 installation view Sihlquai 55, Zurich, 2012 6 7
hurry up, man!
video installation, rotating mirror ball, video animation,
HD 4‘ loop, sound Kurt Schlegel, 2012
Projected onto a wall is what resembles a multi-gear
construction. Every cog shows differing imagery of familiar
news footage: a train derailment, burning streets, Tsunami,
a plane crash… A mirror ball is rotating in the exhibition
space and reflects fragments of images onto the surroun-
ding walls. Every now and then, Superman appears. He
flies through the air while the gear-construction keeps on
turning never interfering or interrupting the proceedings.
image: installation view, Kabinett Visarte, Zurich, 2012
8
installation view Kabinett Visarte, Zurich, 2012 installation view Kabinett Visarte, Zurich, 2012 10 11
twinkle twinkle video installation, projection onto rope ladder (alumini- um sheets, wire), text animation, HD, 1‘20“ loop, sound Kurt Schlegel, 2012 A fragile rope ladder hangs from the ceiling, lit up by the pale light of a projector. A text animation is “clim- bing down” the rungs, revealing one by one, words of the children’s nursery rhyme “Twinkle, twinkle little star” accompanied by the melody of the same song. While the written text doesn’t continue beyond the first verse, the instrumental music carries on. After a few takes, the text concludes in a new ending – as if to say the stars are out of reach. image: installation view Sihlquai 55, Zurich, 2012 12
installation view Sihlquai 55, Zurich, 2012 installation view Sihlquai 55, Zurich, 2012 14 15
take it or leave it video installation, animated text onto suspended paper sheets (various formats), HD, 15“ loop, silent, 2010 Flashing advertising imagery is projected onto supended paper sheets - the formation of which suggest a city- scape. Our senses are bombarded with messages which promote the material life we should aspire to. The choice of lo-fi materials corresponds with the simplicity of the words: the projection surface is made from simple paper sheets, suspended from horizontal household strings. image: installation view Volta 6, Basel, 2010 16
installation view Centre for International Light Art, Unna, 2010/11 installation view Centre for International Light Art, Unna, 2010/11 18 19
you‘re on video installation, rotating shop window mannequin with mirror dress, youtube video collage, HD, 180‘ loop, sound, 2010 A shop window mannequin in a mirror dress stands in front of a collage of several hundred youtube films. As the mannequin rotates the mirror dress reflects the frag- ments of the moving images onto the walls. In contrast to the fast number of images, the sound track is from one youtube video at a time. The continuous sound track ranges from music to bloggers, small talk about football matches to more serious issues. image: installation view Shedhalle, Zurich, 2010 20
installation view Shedhalle, Zurich, 2010 installation view Shedhalle, Zurich, 2010 22 23
unfold video projection onto a wall, HD, 60‘ loop, silent, 2009 In a dark space an intermittent short flicker of images depicting a city skyline are projected into the space. After the short burst of imagery the room returns to darkness. Only a few viewers might catch this elusive moment. image: video still 24
installation view Centre for International Light Art, Unna, 2010/11 installation view Centre for International Light Art, Unna, 2010/11 26 27
station shortfilm, DVD 2‘57“, image ratio 16:9, sound Kapelle Schefer-Lei-Schläpfer, 2008 A Swiss model train is driving through a landscape made of chocolate. After a while, the landscape starts to melt. Houses, trees and mountains collapse. The train journey is accompanied by cheerful traditional acordeon music. image: video still 28
video still video still 30 31
driven video installation, projection onto ceiling, DVD, 7‘26” loop, silent, 2008 A man, dressed in swimming trunks and swimming glas- ses, prepares to jump. Viewed from an unusual perspec- tive, he strikes several poses. The projection is situated well above the viewers heads in about 3-4 meters height. The viewers have to look up. image: installation view Volta 7, New York, 2011 32
video still video still 34 35
trapped video installation, projection onto a circular panel on the floor, DVD, 1’ loop, silent, 2006 A woman under water moves in circles. What first seems to be a game, reveals as a struggle to escape. image: installation view Volta 7, New York, 2011 36
video still video still 38 39
turn video projection, DVD, 2’42” loop or shortfilm 3’03”, sound by Kurt Schlegel, 2006 A young figure skater practices pirouettes. Her attempts look promising, but she keeps falling again and again. When she rests on the ground for a little longer - a tractor appears and pushes her off the ice with the shovel. In the short film, the story ends with an image of the empty ice field. In the loop version, the young figure skater reap- pears practising pirouettes. image: video still 40
video still video still 42 43
pool video installation, 3 screens specifically arranged, DVD, 4’23”/3’56”/2’54” loop, sound by Matthias Hillebrand, 2005 Three separate screens show different scenarios based around a pool. The pool is located in a lake. The water is low and the surface is frozen, there is no movement in the pool, whilst the surface of the lake moves naturally. Figu- res are sitting on the starting blocks, but all they do is sit and stare. The sound emphasises on the bizarre images. image: installation view Carmelitas, Barcelona, 2005 44
video still video still 46 47
numbered video installation, life-size projection onto a wall, 5 headphones, DVD, 1’22” loop, sound, 2005 A gentle rustle in the woods, every now and then twitte- ring birds. Suddenly, a deer appears, looks around and peacefully roams the fields. Out of view, a loud gunshot is heard, followed by haunting silence. Minutes later, the sound of birds twittering returns. image: installation view Artissima 12, Turin, 2005 48
video still installation view Artissima 12, Turin 50 51
pending (‚water‘) video installation, back-projection on a sheet of acry- lics suspended from the ceiling, DVD, 2’20” loop, sound, 2004 A young woman in a is peacefully floating in the water, her eyes closed. After a while, a man dives into the water next to her and then disappears. The only audible sound is the splash when he hits the water. image: installation view Plattform elf, Zurich, 2004 52
installation view Central Saint Martins, London, 2004 installation view Plattform elf, Zurich, 2004 54 55
pending (‚lift‘) video on monitor or projection, DVD, 1’30” loop, sound, 2004 A chair lift in the mountains is rotating slowly. Most seats are empty, but every now and then, a figure appears in the distance. As it gets closer, a young woman holding a rifle is revealed. Then the chair disappears out of view and empty ones follow. The only sound is the squeaky noise of the old machinery. image: installation view Plattform elf, Zurich, 2004 56
video still video still 58 59
pending (‚feathers‘) video installation, life-size projection onto a wall, DVD, 5’ loop, sound, 2004 A man is walking on top of a bus shelter. The ice on top of the shelter crushes loudly under his steps. He sits down and throws feathers from a cushion in the air. It is quiet, except for birds twittering. With no more feathers to throw, he jumps off the bus shelter, reappearing shortly after. image: installation view Central Saint Martins, London, 2004 60
video still video still 62 63
there is always hope video on monitor(s), various formats, DVD, 1:17 min. loop, silent, 2004 Adapted from the Cinderella fairy tale: A man knocks on people’s doors and asks them to try on the silver shoe. The headline reads ‘there is always hope’. But the search is endless. image: installation view, Window Gallery, London, 2004 64
video still video still 66 67
hit and miss video on 2 monitors, DVD, 2’ loop, silent, 2004 Adapted from the Frog King fairy tale: A woman is boun- cing a golden ball towards a glass screen. The background indicates that she is at the zoo, allowing the conclusion that she is throwing the ball onto a terrarium. Opposite sits a frog. The headline reads ‘hit and miss’. But her att- empts are in vain. image: installation view, Window Gallery, London, 2004 68
installation view Window Gallery, London, 2004 installation view Window Gallery, London, 2004 70 71
the lake video installation, multiscreen projection, DVD, 4’48” loop, sound by George Tsioutsias, 2003/04 Three asynchronous projections show men and women, wading into a lake and then disappearing in the calm wa- ters, accompanied by ethereal atmospheric sounds. image: installation view Plattform elf, Zurich, 2004 72
installation view Plattform elf, Zurich, 2004 video still 74 75
biography Selected Exhibitions 2010
Ligth 21, Works by HC Berg, Brigitte Kowanz, Christina
Berliner LISTE, Berlin
Solo Position with the Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London
2012 Benz, Centre for International Light Art, Unna
Christina Benz, born 1972 in Zurich Young Masters Art Prize, Sphinx Fine Art Gallery and Group Exhibition 2006
lives and works in Zurich Gallery 27, London LOOP, The Video Art Festival 06, Barcelona
Group Exhibition Volta 6, Lightbox, Basel Solo Position with Galeria dels Àngels, Barcelona
Solo Position with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London
Art Studies Frisch. Visarte Kabinett, Zurich Antifreeze at Stockwell Studios, London
Solo Exhibition MFA 2010, Shedhalle, Zurich Group Exhibition, The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London
2008 - 2010 Master of Arts in Fine Arts MFA Degree Show, Zurich University of the Arts
Zurich University of the Arts, Zurich Slick12 Brussels Milgilounge Video Gallery, Cardiff
Project Space Ghost of a Dream & Christina Benz Okolje Consulting Art Collection, Celje Opening Show, Group Exhibition
2001 - 2004 Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London Group Exhibition, Gallery of Contemporary Art Celje
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London 2005
Temporary Community - Christina Benz, Françoise 2009 FoKus Switzerland, KBB Kültür Büro Barcelona
2000 - 2001 Foundation Studies in Art and Design Caraco and Karoline Schreiber, Sihlquai55, Zurich Elisabeth Steinschneider presents, Kunstmuseum Bern Group Exhibition
Chelsea College of Art and Design, London Room Stipend and Group Exhibition Group Exhibition
Artissima 12, Present Future, Turin
2011 2007 Nomination for the Illy Prize
Size:Matters, Art Sensus, London LOOP, The Video Art Festival 07, Barcelona Solo Position with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London
Group Exhibition Solo Position with Galeria dels Àngels, Barcelona
FoKus Switzerland, KBB Kültür Büro Barcelona
Volta 7, New York Christina Benz – liquid, The Trafalgar, London Group Exhibition
Solo Position with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London Solo Exhibition with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London
Arco 05, Project Room, Madrid
Art at the Top‘ at Ronnette Riley Architect, New York Bridge Art Fair, London Solo Position with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London
Group Exhibition, The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London Group Presentation, The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London
The London Art Fair, Art Projects, London
Winter Exhibition, The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London Summer Exhibition, The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London Solo Position with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London
Group Exhibition Group Exhibition
76 77LOOP, The Video Art Festival 05, Barcelona Central Saint Martins Degree Show, London 2008 2002
Solo Position with Galeria dels Àngels, Barcelona BA Degree Show Videoex, Zurich Filmnight at 291 Gallery, London
Festival Regard sur le court métrage au Saguenay, Québec
AAF, Photo 05, London 2003 Canadian Sport Film Festival, Toronto
Solo Position with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London London Institute Gallery, London DVD-Compilations
Group Exhibition 2007 Shorts! Vol. 5, Film Festival Collection, 2010
Diva Paris, Digital&Video Art Fair 2005, Paris Amiens International Film Festival, Amiens swiss shorts_16, Swiss Films, 2008
Group Presentation Augustin Dufrasne Gallery, Brussels Biennale de l’Image en Mouvement, Genf (with Videoex) Le cinéma suisse de demain, Swiss Films/BAK, 2007
Selected Screenings International Film Festival Locarno (‘Le cinéma suisse de swiss shorts_12, Swiss Films, 2006
2004 demain’, Swiss Films/BAK)
Christina Benz – pending, Galerie Plattformelf, Zurich 2012 CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, Toronto
Solo Exhibition LUFF does Tokyo, Lausanne Underground Film & Music Cinéma Oblò, ‘Chorégraphies pour un écran’, Lausanne Collections
Festival, 10th anniversary special edition, Tokyo (film pre- Videoex, Zurich Collections include Fundación Centro Ordóñez/Falcón de
Future Map Visual Arts ’04, The Arts Gallery, London sentation in presence of the artist) Kino Pavasaris, Vilnius International Film Festival, Lithuania Fotografía of San Sebastian, Okolje Consulting d.o.o, Celje,
Group Exhibition CFC Worldwide Shortfilm Festival, Toronto International Film Festival Rotterdam Charles-Antoine Bodson, Brussels, Frédéric de Gold-
Mobile Territorien, Royal Baden Solothurn Film Festival, Solothurn schmidt, Brussels, Pierre & Nounouche Elkiner, Brussels,
Christina Benz & Charles-Daniel Schreiber, WMG Limited, Photography Foundation, London
Augustin Dufrasne Gallery, Brussels 2011 2006
Group Exhibition Traverse Vidéo at Musée des Abattoirs, Toulouse International Kortfilmfestival Leuven
Artprojx at the SVA Theatre, New York LUFF Lausanne Underground Film and Music Festival
Window Gallery Charing Cross Rd, London 2010 Nova, Landmark Century Cinemas, Chicago
Solo Position NIFF Neuchâtel, on tour at Kiev Media Art Lab, Ukraine,
Fantasporto, Portugal, Czech Film Center, Prague, Stras- 2005
Kontorhaus, Valentinskamp 34, Hamburg bourg International Film Festival, Strasbourg International Film Festival Locarno
Group Exhibition AAF Video Room, New York
2009
Twisted Vine, 23 Charlotte Rd, London Solothurn Film Festival, Solothurn 2004
Group Exhibition San Gio Film Festival, Verona Shortnight at Space-twotentwo, London
Shortnight at 291 Gallery, London
78 79contact: Christina Benz mobile +41 (0) 79 639 06 45 contact@christinabenz.ch www.christinabenz.ch represented by: The Cynthia Corbett Gallery Phone +44 (0)20 8947 6782 Mobile +44 (0)79 3908 5076 Mobile US +1 773 600 7719 info@thecynthiacorbettgallery.com www.thecynthiacorbettgallery.com
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