Frederik Meijer Gardens Presents Debut Exhibition of Sculptor Dietrich Klinge



April 22, 2005 -- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a leading Midwest cultural destination, is delighted to present Between Silence and Strength: The Sculpture of Dietrich Klinge, open June 3 through September 5, 2005. The exhibition is the first to honor the German sculptor in the United States and is organized jointly with the artist and the Museum Kppersmhle in Duisburg, Germany.

As an organization committed to establishing emerging international artists in the United States, Meijer Gardens continues to expand its influence in the art community by developing groundbreaking exhibitions and important acquisitions. Its continued commitment to the union of art and nature is reflected in its anniversary year with Between Silence and Strength: The Sculpture of Dietrich Klinge.

"As a leading location for international contemporary sculpture, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is pleased to introduce a remarkable and challenging artist like Dietrich Klinge to the American scene," said Joseph Becherer, director of the sculpture program at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. "With this exhibition following our exclusive reexamination of Henry Moore, visitors have the opportunity to experience the contrast between established master and contemporary master and how each artist incorporates nature. We look forward to presenting this thoughtful body of work to audiences in the United States."

Widely admired and eagerly collected in Europe, Klinge's reputation has grown significantly due to the prominent inclusion of his works in numerous art fairs and expositions. As the first American institution to acquire a piece by Klinge, Meijer Gardens has helped increase the artist's awareness outside of Europe. His work has recently appeared in the collections of organizations located in New York, Chicago, Miami and St. Louis.

The human figure is central to the development of European Art since the classical era. Even when abstract and non-representational art rapidly emerged as a focal point for 20th century artists, innumerable European painters and sculptors held to the tradition of representing the human form. Klinge's work holds that tradition by depicting introspective figures in contemplation or limited physical activity, while simultaneously suggesting great physical power.

Primarily known as a sculptor, Klinge also addresses the human form through prints which are critical to his efforts. Between Silence and Strength will feature 36 works by the artist including monumental bronzes, busts, reliefs and prints.

Nature is a significant factor in the artist's work. Klinge carves the actual form out of a block of wood by cutting the sculpture out of it with a chain saw and other instruments in a controlled but expressive manner. The sculptures, which have been cut in the wood, are then translated in bronze to suggest permanence and strength. The bronze preserves the original materiality of the wood, but also introduces a paradox between the spontaneity of the carving and the power of the finished work.

Exhibition Activities
Between Silence and Strength: The Sculpture of Dietrich Klinge at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park includes the following educational programming. All activities are free with admission unless otherwise noted.

Curator's Choice
Walk through the Between Silence and Strength: The Sculpture of Dietrich Klinge exhibition with Joseph Becherer, Director of the Sculpture Program, and get the inside story on this thought-provoking and unique exhibition.
- June 7 7-8 pm
- August 9 7-8 pm

Sketching in the Galleries
Join local artists as they sketch the work of Dietrich Klinge. Klinge created many prints and drawings based on his own sculptures. Pencils, paper, and sketch boards will be available or, if you prefer, you may bring your own supplies.
- Sketching in the Sculpture Galleries Saturday, June 18 1-3 pm Jenny Flanders
- Sketching in the Sculpture Park Tuesday, July 19 6-8 pm Nick Antonakis
- Sketching in the Sculpture Galleries Sunday, August 6 1-3 pm Mary Lamson-Burke

Wood Carving Demonstrations
Watch woodcarver Jack Eppinga use chainsaws, chisels and files to create a piece of sculpture from wood. The demonstrations will be take place outside the Lena Meijer Children's Garden.
- Saturday, June 25 1-3 pm
- Sunday, August 7 1-3 pm

In addition to the activities, the exhibition will feature a fully-illustrated catalog, the first major publication on the artist written in English. It will also include a family looking guide, as an activity for guests of all ages to enjoy the exhibit, and an audio tour. Following its Meijer Gardens presentation, Between the Silence and the Strength will tour German beginning with the renowned Museum Kppersmhle in Duisberg.

About Dietrich Klinge
Born and trained in Germany, Dietrich Klinge is among a powerful group of young, European sculptors whose figurative works have captured critical acclaim. In 1990, Klinge had his first major exhibition in Berlin. Immediately following, his works were shown throughout Germany and included in both the prestigious Cologne and Hamburg Art Expos. His first international exposure came at the 1992 Basel International Art Fair. As a result of Basel, Klinge's reputation began to grow and his works began to enter important private and public collections in Europe.

Klinge uses woodland branches and cut timbers to create his sculpture, giving his work physical detail through rough carving. Molds are made of the wooden elements, followed by bronze casting and finally a variegated patina to suggest, rather than imitate, natural distressed wood. The roughness of surfaces and the boldness of forms keep with the traditions of German Expressionism, which dates to the early 20th century. In addition it also recalls direct carving traditions, especially non-Western practices.

About Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
The 125-acre Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which currently serves an estimated 600,000 visitors annually, features Michigan's largest tropical conservatory; the nation's largest carnivorous plant house; one of the largest children's gardens in the country; arid and Victorian gardens; outdoor gardens; the Midwest's most comprehensive outdoor sculpture experience featuring world-class works by Rodin, Oldenburg, Moore, and others; indoor galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions, as well as a caf and gift shop. The Gardens celebrates its 10th anniversary on April 20, 2005. For additional information, please visit www.meijergardens.org.





Frederik Meijer Gardens Presents Debut Exhibition of Sculptor Dietrich Klinge