Mathias Vef shows portraits and performing bodies within the blurring scope of working out and making out — distilled from the inebriety of sex, sport, or substances.
He is fascinated by bodies and identity and drawn to exceptional bodies that are often an expression of an extraordinary identity. The most exciting to him are people who see their bodies as something which one can mold and create — like hackers who hack their own body, their own form.
As an artist Vef uses this material which the models provide, and hacks it either through collage or with the chemical GHB, which is used as a dissolvent but also as a popular drug. As a drug it hacks a personality, dissolves it, in particular inhibitions, movements change, self-perception becomes fragmentary. As a drug GHB is very dangerous, an overdose can lead to death: a bit too much — and it is over. This is the same when used in painting, the pigments get erased, and if too much is used, you cannot conjure them back magically. Its destructive force becomes very apparent.
Mathias Vef lives and works in Berlin after having studied at the Royal College of Art in London.
Axel Hotel Berlin presents the new exhibition “During” of Berlin-based artist Mathias Vef. The opening on October 18 is part of the VIP reception of Hustlaball 2018. The exhibition refers to the diversity of people that are working with their bodies and on their bodies – and that come together in Berlin to an event like Hustlaball.
“During”
Mathias Vef
October 18 — December 15, 2018
Opening: October 18, 8:00 p.m.
Axel Hotel Berlin
Lietzenburger Str. 13/15 10789 Berlin
See more of Mathias Vef and his work on his web site and Instagram.
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