Adolf Luther / Julio Le Parc: Interactive Spatial Experiences

In the Kunstmuseen Krefeld’s series of exhibition dialogues between Haus Lange and Haus Esters, two visionary positions of kinetic art of the 1960s from two continents meet under the leitmotif “Interactive Spatial Experiences.” With Adolf Luther, a native of Krefeld, and the French Argentine artist Julio Le Parc, the art of geometric abstraction in space is presented as an international phenomenon—German art history is complemented by its French counterpart. The focus of both exhibitions is the novel involvement of the visitors.

Both artists succeed in breaking down the boundaries between art and the public by calling for active participation and making subjective perception a significant component of their works. The socio-political dimension of their artistic work is also highlighted. Katia Baudin, Director of the Kunstmuseen Krefeld emphasizes: “Through the interactive exhibitions of Luther and Le Parc, the former private villas Haus Lange and Haus Esters will once again become lively places of encounter. The artworks also raise highly topical issues, such as the spectacle, art and democracy, subjectivity and perception, and even virtual space.”

Adolf Luther in Haus Esters
Adolf Luther (1912–1990, Krefeld) sought to make concrete light, with its physical and scientific properties, visible. For him, the reality of light was a counter-world to human reality. The exhibition emphasizes how the Krefeld-based artist created immersive spaces with his objects and architectural integrations, which place the human being at the center. The material presence of his mirror and glass objects is less important to him than the light they capture and reflect as “instruments for perception.” For Luther—in reference to modernist ideals such as those propagated by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—glass stands for democratic transparency. In the interaction of the viewer with light, an emancipatory ideal of art is realized. Within the context of the light-flooded, flowing architecture of Haus Esters, Luther’s works act as catalysts for self-perception and allow visitors to actively participate in the exhibition.

Julio Le Parc in Haus Lange and at the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum
With his first major institutional solo exhibition in Germany since 1972, the Kunstmuseen Krefeld rediscover the work of Julio Le Parc (b. 1928, Mendoza, Argentina, lives in Paris), co-founder of the artist group GRAV. The exhibition at Haus Lange and the KWM has been created in close collaboration with the artist. It follows Le Parc’s oeuvre from the 1960s to recent light and virtual reality works, focusing on how his art demands the active participation of the viewer and thus dissolves the boundaries between artwork and viewer. The show transforms the spaces of Haus Lange into a labyrinthine experience full of surprises with kinetic objects, rooms, games and questionnaires. At the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum the exhibition continues with an immersive presentation of the large-scale paintings and expansive light installations. Le Parc’s works combine his ideas of political participation with aesthetic experience. The artwork becomes demystified and accessible to all as an experiment. It aims to liberate the viewer and, through participation, triggers a positive experience of art in a climate of communication and interaction.

Public program
The exhibitions will be accompanied by an extensive public program which, in addition to classic educational offerings, will focus on participatory, interdisciplinary, and transcultural elements: from guided tours with specialists from the fields of physics, electrical engineering, and computer science to a Franco-German dialogue with Krefeld’s partner city, Dunkirk, the initiation of the youth project “Open Space” and much more.

Both exhibitions will open on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at Haus Lange Haus Esters (Wilhelmshofallee 91-97, 47800 Krefeld), starting from 11am. The artist Julio Le Parc will be present. 

Curator, Adolf Luther and Julio Le Parc: Katia Baudin, Director, Kunstmuseen Krefeld
Co-Curator, Adolf Luther: Magdalena Broska, Director, Adolf Luther Foundation
Curatorial Project Management: Juliane Duft, assisted by Amelie Gappa

Kunstmuseen Krefeld is a cultural institution of the city of Krefeld.