MARKUS RISSANENThe Basics of Quantum Biology 23.10.2003 – 9.11.2003
My own art seems to connect on some level with contemporary painters such as Franz Ackermann, Paul Morrison, Takashi Murakami, Lari Pittman, Matthew Ritchie and Fred Tomaselli. Hierarchical structures, cultural and scientific notation, repetition, accuracy and precision play a key role in their work.
I have always been interested in domains which deal with systematic classification and organisation. My studies in architecture and, later, mathematics provided me with concrete knowledge of these domains before my interest in creating art arose. However, at first I consciously and fiercely rejected the influence of such domains and found the basis for my work from as far away from them as possible. These issues seemed to be part of a bygone phase that could no longer have anything to do with my art.However, at the end of the day, the unexpected seems likely to happen. Thus my own interest in various scientific disciplines also slowly began to raise its head again. Simultaneously, my attitude towards a more scientific outlook changed. Becoming interested in things no longer required professional scientific work, but could be replaced by an element of surprise and freedom made possible by art.
The works in the exhibition seem to be based on the use of certain unexpected connections and parallels. The attitude is a kind of "inquisitive play". This can mean play with scientific theories ("quantum biology") or play with unusual painting materials (resin paintings). The works in the exhibition break up and tear apart various theoretical systems, rebuilding them into new constructions based on a different sense of reality, logic and borrowed notation.
In my work, I have intentionally refrained from using an individualistic "painterly" style, using instead a painting technique which copies scientific, objective representation. This is to say I have wanted to "model out" of my paintings any painterly quality.
Markus Rissanen