Rosemarie Trockel explores the fascinating intersections of technology, memory, and artistic intervention in her limited-edition prints for Parley for the Oceans.
This new series, launching in collaboration with Cahiers d’Art, a French-based publishing house and gallery, timed to Art Basel Paris in October, showcases Trockel’s foray into her photographic archive, where she employs AI to generate three compelling new photographic portraits derived from her personal images. Each AI-generated portrait is screen-printed on Trockel’s drawings, complemented by the artist’s signature spray-painted motifs. These abstract elements disrupt and enhance the compositions, adding depth and intrigue.
Trockel’s work in this series is further enriched by the incorporation of the word “Démodé,” a French term meaning “out of fashion” or “obsolete.” This addition serves as a commentary on the transient nature of trends, including the rapid evolution and potential obsolescence of AI technology, juxtaposed with the timelessness of personal and artistic identity. The series underscores Trockel’s continuous engagement with contemporary themes and her ability to blend cutting-edge technology with traditional artistic techniques, creating works that resonate with both historical depth and contemporary relevance.
A set of 3 individual sheets is €16,000 for the launch at Cahiers d’Art. Increasing to €20,000 (from November 15th onwards). All sale proceeds will support Parley’s Global Cleanup Network.
Opening reception Tuesday, October 15th, 2024, 11am – 2pm Cahiers d’Art Paris
*Rosemarie Trockel’s exhibition will be held on the rarely accessible upper floor of Cahiers d’Art. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served
Parley for the Oceans, established in the heart of the art community, has enjoyed the support of esteemed artists like Julian Schnabel and Ed Ruscha, who created new works to champion the organization’s ocean conservation mission. Over the years, Parley has broadened its initiatives, partnering on innovative projects that range from underwater sculptures to sustainable surfboards.
These collaborations have included leading contemporary artists such as Doug Aitken, Walton Ford, Jenny Holzer, Pipilotti Rist, Rosemarie Trockel, David LaChapelle, Bharti Kher, Katharina Grosse, Peter Schuyff, and Tobias Rehberger.
About the artist
Rosemarie Trockel is a contemporary German Conceptual artist whose work challenges traditional notions of femininity, culture, and artistic production. Employing a wide range of materials, including video, ceramics, drawing, found artifacts, and knitted works, the artist raises questions of politics, domesticity, eroticism, and fantasy. “The minute something works, it ceases to be interesting,” she said of making art. “As soon as you have spelled something out, you should set it aside.” Born in Schwerte, Germany on November 13, 1952, she studied at the Werkkunstschule in Cologne, before going on to become one the first artists to show at Monika Sprüth gallery.
Trockel first rose to prominence after exhibiting her celebrated Knitted Paintings (1985) series, which were created using machine-knitted fabrics stretched onto canvas supports. Throughout these woolen surfaces, Trockel depicts generic, computer-generated imagery or, in some cases, specific historic iconography, such as the Soviet worker with a sickle and hammer. In 2012, her sprawling exhibition “Rosemarie Trockel: A Cosmos,” opened at the New Museum in New York, later traveling to the Serpentine Gallery in London the following year. The artist currently lives and works in Cologne, Germany. Today, her works are held in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, and the Kunstmuseum Basel, among others.
