Exhibition — May 20 until Oct 15, 2017

The work of the young German artist Jana Euler (1982) is permeated by energy. Euler’s practice focuses on the interplay of painting, sculpture and word & image. Her work explores contemporary identity and the impact and role of cultural, social and technological developments in its formation. The presentation High in Amsterdam, The Sky of Amsterdam brings together work from all of Euler’s solo exhibitions so far, combined with new work she has created especially for the Stedelijk Museum’s IMC Gallery.

In her paintings, sculptural works and texts, Euler investigates the possibilities of digital and analogue images, responds to our contemporary conditions, and prompts reflection. Her works range far beyond the confines of style, and alternate between abstraction and figuration, text and form, clear imagery and spatially constructed situations. Actual materiality and the almost hyper-real state of objects are equally central to Euler’s practice. A dynamic interaction – varying from figurative, abstract to surreal – challenges our perceptions and the definition of reality and image. In her work, Euler often derides the artist and the process of painting. She inverts and twists themes from art history, reaffirming them with dry wit, or downright silliness.
 

Analysemonster and Where the Energy Comes From

In 2015, the Stedelijk acquired Jana Euler’s works Analysemonster and Where the Energy Comes From. In both artworks, Euler plays with the conflicts and associations evoked by word and image. The painting Analysemonster (2014) is dominated by the evocation of linguistic presence, integrating elements from the body charts commonly found in alternative medicinal practices, where each part of the body is presented in direct proportion to its therapeutic significance. 

New work for the Stedelijk

The exhibition encompasses thirteen works, three of which – including the eleven-part artwork After Supper – Jana Euler has made especially for the IMC Gallery. Euler has also created a mock-up museum bench that, roughly 20 metres in length, will be installed across the entire width of the space. The bench is created from the lower sections of office chairs so that, attached to each other, the individual chairs lose their flexibility and can function only as a unit. 

STEDELIJK CONTEMPORARY

The Stedelijk Museum continuously presents dynamic solo exhibitions by a young generation of artists. Many of these are new productions and recent purchases that tie in with the museum’s acquisitions policy. The Stedelijk seeks to respond to current events and stimulate contemporary talent by, in some cases, also taking on the position of commissioner. Its commitment to developing lasting relationships with young artists shapes the future identity of the museum’s collection.

credit

The Stedelijk Contemporary presentations in 2017 are made possible in part by the generous support of main benefactor Ammodo, and the International Collector Circle and the Curator Circle.