Jonathan Meese, Tal R, Daniel Richter: The Men Who Fell from Earth

The exhibition brings three influential figures in contemporary painting to EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Finland: Jonathan Meese, Daniel Richter and Tal R. The unique collaborative project portrays jointly created installations, spontaneous paintings and a video work. In addition to the collaborative works, the exhibition also takes distinct looks into each artist’s recent oeuvre. 

The title of the exhibition is a reference to Nicolas Roeg’s cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth from 1976. The themes of the film—ecological crisis, suspicion towards foreigners, all-pervasive commercialism and questions of humanity and humaneness—are all topical. Still the artist trio observes the world and its dire state through absurd humour, playfulness and performativity. 

The show continues EMMA’s series of exhibitions that explores contemporary painting. “Jonathan Meese, Daniel Richter and Tal R investigate the endless possibilities of painting in energetic, expressive and unhierarchic manner. Through their extensive exhibition with solo sections from each artists and a collectively made new, site-specific wall painting they have brought the spirit of experiment and joy of painting to EMMA’s audiences,” says Chief Curator Arja Miller. 

Jonathan Meese (b. 1970, Tokyo, Japan) 
Meese works proficiently in many art forms from painting to sculpture, performance and installations. He almost stuns the viewer with his overflowing expression and energy. He creates serial, colourful and diverse collections of works and surprising assemblages combining material from pop culture, mythology and political history. Meese’s recent solo shows include the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich 2018. 

Tal R (b. 1967, Tel Aviv, Israel) 
Over the past two decades Tal R has created his own, recognisable imagery which permeates his wide and diverse oeuvre. The art and working methods of Tal R can be described as embodying vitality, curiosity and a constant quest for something new, and at the same time making use of used or surplus material. Tal R’s recent solo shows include the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen 2017 and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam 2017. 

Daniel Richter (b. 1962, Eutin, Germany) 
Richter gathers inspiration for his paintings from everything he sees and experiences. His canvases have flashes of the daily news, art history and rock music. Richter’s roots are in the 1980s punk scene and in the visual culture of many alternative movements. Richter has shaped painting in Germany like few others have done. He has a professorship at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. His recent solo shows include the Camden Arts Center, London 2017. 

The Men Who Fell from Earth is a collaboration with the Holstebro Art Museum in Denmark, the German Museum Stade, and EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art.

For further information: 
Arja Miller, Chief Curator, EMMA 
arja.miller [​at​] emmamuseum.fi