Zeitguised

                                   Henrik Mauler

Through my research working through digital media, I have come across the work of the Zeitguised group. The Zeitguised group is a group of artist, designers, and technologists based in Berlin, Germany. I have seen many examples of the work that comes out the group so I have always been interested to know their process in how they come up with the unusual forms that seem to be unique to the aesthetic of the Zeitguised group. In doing my research I actually came in contact with one of the artist that works with them and his name is Henrik Mauler.

                 Geist.xyz: Physical Design Show

                "Whats the Matter": Geist.xyz show

 

In talking with Henrik he mentioned that the background of the  group was in architecture, design, fashion, and sculpture. He had been working for the group since 2001, but has been in the field since 1988. In his work he looks to explore uncharted visual territory, uncanny contradictions, or just finding satisfaction in nice things. I was really attracted to their work because I see a heightened awareness in an attempt to create or discover visual imagery that has not been presented yet. I think overall in the work released from the group, their overall nature is in creating physical forms, objects, and textures, that we haven't encountered and cause the viewer to take a closer look.

 

 

                                  "Absolute Amber" Still

                              "Absolute Amber"

                                 "Concrete Chrome"
Artifacts from a perceived reality and abstractions drive the work that is created by Henrik and the Zeitguised group. I think this notion sticks out the most when looking at their work because in much of their work the viewer can see reference to objects from real life, but in the way in which the forms are depicted refer to the objects in the most abstract way which seems to pull away from the original source material as much as possible. The way in which abstraction is used in the work allows for some interesting shapes and forms that seem to be biomorphic in nature and maybe even slightly refer to biomorphic forms in nature. One of the images I remember from past lecture, is the image above with the metallic, reflective material. What really catches my eye with a project such as that one was that the image created is almost that of balloons flying or smoke/ steam that comes from a train both of which emulate a floating type substance or object. Yet what we see before us is materal reminiscent of metal which is something very solid. Something that couldn't possible float. the abstraction of form in this image allows for an interesting juxtapositions of form material and physics in nature.

                                   "Peripetics"

I asked Henrik what kind of projects they plan to work on in the future and he said, "hopefully more interesting ones! There are always lots of interesting fragments, unfinished ideas and plans in the drawer. I really can't say what crosses our paths and minds in the future!" I like that there work uses abstraction break down the forms of objects. It seems like "fragmentation" is an idea that really guides the work. I like seeing artist who can take animation as a medium to explore new ways of looking at things. Animation can be used to create interesting juxtaposition between form, material, shape, and movement and the Zeitguised group uses those attributes well to create unique forms of visual language.