Press information

KRIS LEMSALU November 16, 2018 – January 20, 2019

Press conference: Thursday, November 15, 2018, 11 a.m. Opening: Thursday, November 15, 2018, 7 p.m.

The Estonian artist Kris Lemsalu creates sculptures, installations, and performances that fuse the animal kingdom with humankind, nature with the artificial, beauty with repulsion, lightness with gravity, life with death. She combines animal bodies and porcelain objects with found (natural) materials such as furs, leather, seashells, wool, or paper in theatrical installations that whisk us off into a world of the fantastic imagination. Endeavoring to erase any distance between herself and her objects, the artist also uses her installations as stages for performance pieces in her sculptures become an integral part of her attire. Although Lemsalu’s work often broaches dark and raw themes, it feels fragile and delicate, incorporating references to ancient mythologies and rituals from various cultures. In addition to abstract sculptures, her art also includes self-portraits and photographs, many of which depict her as a creature with masculine as well as feminine traits. Combining fabrics, makeup, wigs, and other props, she creates short-lived exotic identities for herself.

Kris Lemsalu studied ceramics at the Estonian Academy of Arts, , and art at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, , and the Academy of Fine Arts .

Kris Lemsalu born in 1985, lives and works in Tallinn, Estonia and .

The exhibition program is conceived by the board of the Secession. Curator: Annette Südbeck; Assistant: Verena Österreicher

Publication An artist book is published in conjunction with the exhibition.

Curators’ guided tour Friday, November 23, 2018, 16 Uhr Guided tour through the exhibitions by Ed Ruscha, Philipp Timischl und Kris Lemsalu with curators Jeanette Pacher, Bettina Spörr und Annette Südbeck

Press images Installation views are available for download at https://www.secession.at/presstype/vorschau/ and www.secession.at/en/presstype/aktuell

Press contact Karin Jaschke T. +43 1 587 53 07-10 F. +43 1 587 53 07-34 E-Mail: [email protected] secession Vienna Secession, Association of Visual Artists Friedrichstraße 12, A-1010 Vienna, Austria T. +43-1-587 53 07, F. +43-1-587 53 07-34 [email protected], www.secession.at Tuesday – Sunday 10 am – 6 pm Permanent presentation: Gustav Klimt, Beethoven Frieze

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