Part of the puntWG Open Call Series

A color, a mineral, and a myth - Kobold on the Unemployment Line; an exhibition in three  installments is a collaboration between artists Helena Sanders (US/NL) and Michael Petri (Vienna, AT) opening August 17th until September 8th. The exhibition imagines the limits, transformations and excavations of materials, labor, language and landscape through the fever-dreams of a time traveling Kobold. This folkloric figure dating back to the 15th century is a creature reported to live  in coal and silver mines, mimicking the miners in dress and behaviour, and causing havoc and  disruption to their routines and efforts to extract. Both the mineral and the color blue Cobalt, take their name directly from this being who reluctantly mediates the worlds of the mineral and human intelligences.  

Helena and Michael have created new works including a lighting scenography, matte paintings,  audio installations, ceramic and sculptural work. 

From the Carboniferous Era to a speculative future - as Scale Trees become coal seams become  synthetic dyes - the Kobold finds itself unemployed, buying things on layaway, and we’re left making due without.  

Through the exhibition, the artists will host three events (installments); an opening event, a guest artist presentation, and closing event - during each, the artists will add or amend works within the exhibition.  

August 17 : Installment 1
Exhibition opening with a short introduction and performance moment.

August 31 : Installment 2
Artist talk/workshop with guest artist Annika Kappner. 

Liquid Dreams: Shared stories 

Together we will journey through the shared history of human and mineral intelligence. A  multidimensional and multi sensorial adventure of co-creative evolution from supernovas  to quantum computing, via dating apps and health trackers. 

September 7 : Installment 3
Closing event -with an artist talk / presentation moment. 

Generously supported by AFK.
With technical support and contribution from: Martin Poisel, Michael Fux, Katrina Niebergal, Nicole Martens, Anami Schrijvers, Marcus Zilz, Charlott Markus, and Ticho Brouwers.

Photography by Ilya Rabinovic