Klaus Schrefler is visual artist, his work includes sculptures, film, photography, paintings,... Klaus is interested in systems, organic systems, to be exact. He examines functions and interference of the parts within. Thus dense complex hybrid media artworks are being developed by using and fusing different techniques. Schrefler´s art is mainly visual, based on natural rhythms like fluid lines, pulsing objects, communicating compartments.
© Helmut Wimmer 2009
International presentations in Algeria, Australia, Ecuador, India, Japan and the U.S.A. and several European countries like Germany, France, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain and trips to~30 foreign countries. Schrefler´s first public presentations have been photographic works in the late nineties. Later he expanded to visual arts in general, video, performances, actions, animation, sculptures and art in public space; Lecturer at the University of Graz and free-lance scientist, also works for the Styrian Government.
His recent transdisciplinary piece of art INTI is manifested as 27min 3D animation. The film titled 'INTIÑAHUI - In the Eye of the Sun' is a non-narrative visual flow of images (animated by Thomas Siegl & Martin Schemitsch). “Creating connections” builds the maxim of Klaus Schrefler, the initiator of that long-term art project.
Consequently the abstract vision of INTIÑAHUI has manifested itself into solid forms by now: Stone sculptures, graphics, and other media supplement a 3D animation film by creating a multidisciplinary, intercultural oeuvre. Works (prior to the project) of Ecuadorian sculptor Luis Viracocha became virtual; models by Klaus Schrefler became templates for parts of the animation. In turn, virtual models were transformed into manifestations of stone by the artists. Its central meaning has been materialized as real sculptures as well as performances and won international awards (e.g. Grand Remi Award and Best of Show at Houston WorldFest). While 2,5 tons of marble already are part of public space (together with Luis Viracocha, Walter Ackerl), another marble sculpture named panta rhei found its final destination June 2011 in front of the Karl-Franzens-University of Graz.
In former artworks when photography, installation and painting were his major techniques, a direct, often confronting and frightening aspect may be found also. Asked about the background he points to the fact that hidden fears may be activated by his art. Personally interested in the reason for duality and thus light and darkness he calls his works a mirror. Investigation on issues like violence, poverty, war including the ecological desaster in big parts of the world have found reflection in those artworks. Otherwise calm and sometimes meditative works show the natural power of rhythms - thus like Panta rhei, new serie of sculptures, animations and films (coop. with Thomas Siegl & Elmar Ranegger).
Klaus Schrefler is founder of theSYNdicate - intercultural network for transforming arts [located in Graz, Austria], an association of artists of different genres. For a full CV go here.
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