Markus Guschelbauer

Lives and works in Vienna, Austria

Artist statement

Nature is a place I would call home, hence my artistic practice is based upon dealing with the subject of landscape and nature. Growing up on a little farm in the countryside, I learned how to work the land and I experienced farm-labour for the purpose of self-subsistence. Nowadays I kind of feel like a farmer, building upon land and harvesting pictures and artificial outcomes reflecting this. I am constantly looking for different and new landscapes to work with. The topography and the scenery, but also the contextual background of the selected space will lead to the interaction I carry out. Ambiguitiy and polaritiy are terms which I am very sensitive to, in order to describe my artistic practice. Formally this becomes apparent by comparing linear to natural forms, as well as using artificial materials in natural surroundings. By doing so I try to attain both: to reflect on the space or the situation I am dealing with. At the same time the space I am focusing on is losing its objectivity and by prosecuting my intervention I am creating a new surreal moment. I use photography as a starting point, which means to find and determine the point of view. The act of the performance begins with choosing a particular part of landscape to work with. My installations in the landscape allow manifold associations ranging from church space to bio-tech labs. Whether the enactment will be depicted in an analog photography or will be shown in a video which reflects the work in the landscape...

Artwork