In 2012, the German artist Thomas Bayrle caused a stir when he presented a series of running engines that he had cut open at one of the world's most important art events, Documenta 13 in Kassel (Germany). Accompanied by soundtracks that are largely excerpts from pertinent passages in the ecclesiastical liturgy, the artworks demonstrate the aesthetic of machinery as well as the rhythm and condition of human life in the mass society. The complete set of these pieces are now on view at Lehnbachhaus in Munich (Germany), together with a huge site-specific wall installation and all his early films.
Thomas Bayrle was born in Berlin (Germany) in 1937. Bayrle's work was on view at the Venice Biennale in 2003 and 2009 and at documenta, Kassel, in 1964, 1977, and 2012. The artist lives and works in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He currently also has a solo exhibition at the ICA in Miami (until March 26, 2017).
Thomas Bayrle: Hochamt, 2010 (Radial engine, electric drive, sound).
The exhibition at Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau München is curated by Eva Huttanlauch and runs until March 5, 2017.
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