hans peter feldmann: shadow play at hangarbicocca, milan

detailed view from ‘shadow play’ or ‘schattenspiel’ by hans-peter feldmann, 2002- 2012
image © designboom

hans-peter feldmann: shadow play
hangarbicocca, milan, italy
open now until june 10th, 2012

dusseldorf-born conceptual artist hans-peter feldmann has installed his moving sculpture piece ‘schattenspiel’ or ‘shadow play’ at hangarbicocca in milan.
feldmann’s artistic language has been developed through his use of anonymous images and symbols. the found objects are accumulated and edited into
installations which derive their meaning from both the setting and absence of the artist’s explanation. since the start of his artistic career in the 1960’s,
feldmann has chosen to leave his viewers without influence through language, rather, allowing the individual to form their own interpretation of his works
based upon the assemblage of objects.

‘shadow play’ was displayed for the first time in 2002, shortly after the artist had reemerged into the modern art scene after a ten year hiatus in which he opened
an antique and toy shop. this recent career shift is observed in this particular sculptural work as the piece is comprised of a twenty-meter table decorated by
twelve units, each grouping formed from a close-up light and several old toys fastened to the edges of a rotating square pedestal. the moving shadows of the
antiquated figurines are cast upon a rectangular wall which runs parallel to the elongated table, highlighting unique forms to each assembled item. the installation
is theatrical in nature as the constantly shifting shadow shapes dance in an indecipherable narrative.

hangarbicocca reopened to the public after a sweeping renovation, unveiling ‘shadow play’ as one of the inaugural installations in the new gallery space.

each of the lights has been outfitted with a can to funnel the luminescence directly at the moving miniatures
image © designboom

image © designboom

as the square platform rotates, the light projected upon the items traces the outlines of each object, the white backdrop displays the collection of shapes in shadow 
image © designboom

a wide perspective of the ‘shadow play’ installation– 12 units each comprised of a light and several figurines upon a rotating square pedestal
image © designboom