Dammann
Born in 1965, Martin Dammann lives and works in Berlin, Germany.
Martin Dammann directs his attention towards the multifaceted and often contradictory relationships of pictures to that which they depict, and thus to that which they (the pictures) themselves are not. These relationships are particularly palpable when the contents of the pictures prove to be difficult, or even encumbered. The latter is the case, for example, with war photography, which has come to serve as an essential point of departure in Dammann's works. Dammann uses such photos in a large number of media, whether in his large-scale watercolours, drawings, or photographic works, as well as videos, frottages, and installations. In the process, the individual elements of these works - the manner of painting, the contents, format and title - are each emphasized, and their contradictions contrasted with one another, in such a way as to create a kind of balance in which no interpretation alone is any longer capable of uniting all of those elements.
The concern is thus less with conveying a message to the viewer; instead, the viewer is empowered to observe and investigate their own reactions and interpretations of the subjects depicted.Apart from the structural interest, there is also an interest in what could be called the -contentuality- of the works in the narrower sense, in the actual subjects. Here, questions of history, identity, authenticity, value systems and clichés come into play. Every one of these categories is understood as part of the pictorial structure. The focus here is less on the presence of photography as a medium, however than on its inherent emotional or evocative possibilities, which themselves are placed at the viewer's disposal in their functionality.
Solo Exhibitions
2023
12 755 000 000 jours, Romainville, FR
2021
Rheinlandbesetzung, New Viewing Online
Exfreundin, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, AL
2019
Abstieg, galerie In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
2017
Kein schöner Land, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, AL
2016
Martin Dammann, In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
2015
Zum Resultat beruhigter Tumult, Kunsthalle Nürnberg, DE
Weiter weg, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, DE
2014
Mit dem Rücken zur Wand, Märkisches Museum Witten, DE
Aus Dem Über Heraus, Kunstsaele, Berlin, DE
In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
In Situ Hors les murs, Atelier Rouart, Paris, FR
In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
In Situ Hors les murs, Atelier Rouart, Paris
Goodbye Paradise Landschaftsbilder gestern und heute ?, Kunsthalle Osnabrück, DE
Spur der Steine ?, Alte Feuerwache, Kulturhaus Friedrichshain, Berlin, DE
Nur hier, Sammlung zeitgenössischer Kunst der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Ankäufe von 2007 bis 2011, Kunst-und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn, DE
Bremer Schule, Essen Und Trinken Im Museum, Berlin, DE
Blind Spot, Kargl Fine Arts, Vienne, Autriche
2011
Gegen über, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, DE
Frauen, In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
2009
Martin Dammann, Malerei-Zeichnung, Kunstverein Konstanz, DE
Soldier Studies and Neue Malerei, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, DE
Martin Dammann - Gemalde, Aquarelle, Fotografien, Videos, Kunsthalle Recklinghausen, DE
2008
Zwei Totale, Georg Kargl Fine Arts, Vienna, AT
2007
Repromancer, Kunstverein Arnsberg, Arnsberg, DE
2006
Collecting militaria gives you something to talk about, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, DE
2005
Georg Kargl Fine Arts, Vienna, AT
erdeutschland, Galerie Barbara Thumm, DE
Vanishing Point2, Georg Kargl Fine Arts, Vienna, AT
2002
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Berlin, DE
1998
Transmission, Espace des Arts, Chalon sur Saone, FR
BlitzLicht, Kunstruimte, Berlin, DE
1996
Galerie Herold, Bremen, DE
1995
Galerie 21, St. Petersburg, RU
Group Exhibitions
2021
Transformation und Wiederkehr, Lentos Museum, Linz, AT
2020
Et maintenant, le dessin..., In Situ - Fabienne Leclerc, Romainville, FR
Cover of the cover, Bar K Berlin Gallery, Berlin, AL
Drawing Wow2, Kunstsaele, Berlin, AL
Moral Disorder, IVAM, Valence, ES
Aquarell, Neuer Sächsischer Kunstverein, Chemnitz, AL
2019
STOP, In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Romainville, FR
2018
Rohkunstbau XXIV, Schloss Lieberose, Spreewald, AL
2017
En marge, In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
2015
Fire and Forget. On Violence, Kunstwerke Berlin, DE
The Beast and the Sovereign, MACBA Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, ES
BER-DTM-HNL Fasten your seatbelts, HMKV, Dortmund, DE
2014
Emotionsräume, Kunstverein Talstraße, Halle/Saale, DE
Kunst Oberschwaben 20. Jahrhundert - 1970 bis heute, Schloss Achberg, DE
Adelaide festival, Adelaide, AU
DER KUBIST MARCEL DUCHAMP MAG NICHT MALEN, curated by Michael Müller, Galerie Thomas Schulte, Berlin, DE
2013
Donation Florence et Daniel Guerlain, Centre Pompidou, Paris, FR
Goodbye Paradise Landschaftsbilder gestern und heute, Kunsthalle Osnabrueck, DE
Spur der Steine, Alte Feuerwache, Kulturhaus Friedrichshain, Berlin, DE
Nur hier, Sammlung zeitgenössischer Kunst der BRD Ankäufe von 2007-2011, Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der BRD, Bonn, DE
Bremer Schule, ESSEN UND TRINKEN MUSUEM, Berlin, DE
Artistes de la galerie, In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
2012
Liebe, Tod und Teufel, Von der Heydt kunsthalle, Wupertal-Barmen, DE
2011
Art/Système/Poésie, In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
2010
A Generation, Petach Tikva Museum of Art, IL
State of the union, Freies Museum Berlin, DE
2009
The Fear Society, curated by Jota Castro, Pabellon de la Urgencia, Murcia, Biennale Venezia 53rd International Art Exhibition, IT
2008
Wilde Signale, Württembergischer Kunstverein, Stuttgart, DE
Vertrautes Terrain. Aktuelle Kunst in & über Deutschland, ZKM Karlsruhe, curated by Gregor Jansen & Thomas Thiel, DE
4. Triennale zeitgenössischer Kunst Oberschwaben - Palais Thurn and Taxis, Bregenz, Zeppelin Museum, Friedrichshafen, DE
Hängung #2 - Malerei, Museum Kunstwerk, Sammlung Alison and Peter W. Klein, Eberdingen, DE
2007
Between the Two Deaths, ZKM, Karlsruhe, curated by Felix Ensslin and Ellen Blumenstein, In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR
Männerfantasien, Chung King Project, Los Angeles, curated by Ellen Blumenstein, US
2006
I walk the lines, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, DE
Berlin Tendenzen, La Capella - Institut de Cultura de Barcelona, Barcelona, ES
SPEED, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, DE
2006/07
VAC - Coleccion Valencia Arte Contemporaneo, IVAM, Valencia, ES
2005
Trial of Power, Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien, Berlin curated by Maik Schlr, DE
Richtig Wichtig, PACT, Amsterdam, NL
Waters and Watercolours, Georg Kargl Fine Arts, Vienna, AT
2004
Foreign Affairs Berlin, Tent Centrum Beeldende Kunst, Rotterdam, NL
From Above, Georg Kargl Fine Arts, Vienna, AT
2003
Video Programme, Galerie Barbara Thumm, Berlin, DE
2001
Pandaemonium, The Lux Centre, London, UK
Einsiedler, Vorhend, Museum Folkwang, Essen, DE
2000
No Vacancies, Galerie Barbara Thumm/Angelika Richter, Berlin, DE
Experimental Projects, PS 1, New York, US
1999
Kunstwerke e.V., Berlin, DE
Kunstbank, Berlin (mit Juan Carlos Robles), DE
art club berlin, Berlin and AUbase art space, New York, US
View, Galerie Eigen & Art, Berlin, DE
1998
Sub Fiction, 3. Werkleitz Biennale, Werkleitz, DE
Blockbuster, Kunst + Technik, Berlin, DE
Between, Jacksonville Museum of Contemporay Art, Florida, US
1997
Hybrid Work Space, Documenta X, via Luxus Contemporary, Kunst + Technik, Berlin, DE
11 Videos, Dogenhaus Projekte, Berlin, DE
L'immagine leggera, Videofestival, Palermo, IT
14. Kasseler Dokumentar- und Videofestival, Kassel, DE
Medienpaket, of ZKM Karlsruhe for the Goethe Institute
1996
Cluster Images, Werkleitz Biennale, Werkleitz, DE
Die 50 besten, ZKM Video Award, Karlsruhe, DE
Digitale 96, Photokina/Kunsthochschule fien, Cologne, DE
Auswahl 7. Marler Videopreis, Skulpturenmuseum Glaskasten, Marl, DE
1995
Pearls Vol. II, Stiftung Starke, Berlin, DE
Dirty Windows Gallery, Berlin, DE
1994
Ars Grafinova, Ostrobothnian Museum, Vaasa, FI
Werkstattgalerie Hohentorsheerstraße, Bremen, DE (with Udo Steinmann)
Bibliography
Catalogs
2011
Art/Système/Poésie. In Situ - fabienne leclerc, Paris, FR.
2010
A Generation, Petach Tikva Museum, p.28-29.
2009
Becker, Conny. Family Jewels, for Galerien der Stadt Esslingen, in cooperation with Bongout. Esslingen am Neckar, 2009.
Press
2012
Liebe, Tod und Teufel. Von der Heydt kunsthalle, Wupertal-Barmen, DE.
2010
"Soldier Studies". Dorade N°2, p.32-39.
2009
Rullert, Sabrina. " Recklinghausen: Kunstlerische Transformation der Vergangenheit", Art Das Kunstmagazin online, 30 jul. 2009.
2008
"Verunklaerte Totale". Der Standard, 18 sep. 2008
Scheyerer, Nicole. "Landschaften mit unheilvollem Himmel". Die Presse, 11 sep. 2008
Vertrautes Terrain - aktuelle Kunst in & uber Deutschland, ZKM Karlsruhe. 2008.
Sammlung Alison and Peter W. Klein. Haengung #2 - Malerei. Museum Kunstwerk, Eberdingen.
2007
Blumenstein, Ellen and Felix Ensslin. Between two deaths. ZKM Karlsruhe and Hatje Cantz Verlag, Ostfildern, 2007.
Held, Klaus. "Das Leben ist eine Geister-Mall". Regioartline Kunstmagazin, 29 may 2007.
Malkunst 2. Aktuelle Malerei in Berlin. Edizioni Mudima, Mailand, 2007.
Repromancer. Malerei - Fotografie - Video/ Painting - Photography- Video. Kunstverein Arnsberg, 2007.
2006
Blumenstein, Ellen. "Le fantasme de Berlin". Artpress 2, aug./oct. 2006.
Borowski, Judith. "Gut gemalt : Unsichtbares im Foto". Financal Times Deutschland, 12 may 2006.
Berlin Tendenzen. La Capella - Institut de Cultura de Barcelona, Barcelona 2006.
2005
Henninger, Petra. "Das Eigenleben der Bilder". Artnet Magazin, 6 jun. 2005.
Maik Schulter. Trial of Power. Revolver - Archiv fur aktuelle Kunst, Berlin, 2005.
2003
Conrads, Martin. "Krieg in Wasserfarben - Martin Dammann überrascht mit Aquarellen". Zitty 5/2003, p. 72/73.
Heinrich, Karl. "Aus den Galerie - Galerie Barbara Thumm", Die Welt, 21 feb. 2003, p. 34.
Clewing, Ulrich. "Dem Echo folgen - Aquarelle von Martin Dammann in der Galerie Barbara Thumm". Tagesspiegel, 22 feb. 2003.
2001
Janecke, Christian. Ziel und Spur von Bildern - Zur Eagle-Serie von Martin Dammann. IBM-Kunstpreis Neue Medien, Kunstsammlung Gera (ed.),p, 10-17.
Martin Dammann, from the exhibition series Einsiedler - Voruebergehend, Museum Folkwang Essen.
Bartel, Jörg."Zeitgenossen und Dickköpfe". Neue Ruhr Zeitung, 14 mar. 2001.
Mrozek, Bodo. "Die Optik des Krieges". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 8 oct. 2001.
Filmography
2006
Collecting militaria gives you something to talk about, DVD, 17 min 10 sec.
2003
Treffen (Touching), DVD, 40 min.
Abgang (Descent), loop, DVD, 1 min.
2002
Jonas, loop, DVD, 16 sec.
2001
Moved, loop, S-VHS.
2000
InTV (Jamie Shea shows us us something), loop, S-VHS.
1999
Where, loop, S-VHS.
What I always wanted to say about arts and society, S-VHS Docklands, loop, S-VHS.
1998
Rescription/..., several loops, S-VHS.
Blitzlicht (FlashLight), installation, 6 tapes, S-VHS.
Mhenluft, 10 min. S-VHS.
1997
mark X, loop, S-VHS.
Flat Spinn, installation, 2 tapes, S-VHS.
Morse Code, 1 - 7 tapes, S-VHS.
L'etat lucide, installation, 1-5 tapes, S-VHS.
TeleBall, loop, S-VHS.
1996
High Flown Visions, installation, 5 - 7 tapes, VHS.
I once saw a film with Paul Newman, 4.07 min, Betacam SP Sedimentation/Film 1, 7.12 min, S-VHS.
1994
Virillium Boys (in cooperation with Udo Steinmann), 9.10 min, VHS.
Awards/Grants
2002Else-Heiliger-Stipendium, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
1999
Working grant of the Senate of Berlin
1997
DAAD - Jahrestipendium, London
1995
NaFöG (Postgraduate Award of the City of Berlin)
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Soldier Studies: Cross-Dressing in der Wehrmacht
Hatje Cantz, March 2018
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Martin Dammann : Fremde Freunde
Skarabaeus, February 2010
