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Charlotte Posenenske, Statement [Manifesto], Art International no. 5 (May 1968)

The things I make arechangeable,as simple as possible,reproducible.They are components of a space, because they are similar to building elements,they can always be rearranged into new combinations or positions,thereby altering space.I leave this alteration to the consumer, who thereby again and again participatesin the assembly process.The simplicity of the basic geometric forms is beautiful and suited to demonstratethe principles of rationalized alteration.I make seriesbecause I do not want to make individual pieces for individuals,in order to have elements combinable within a system,in order to make something that is repeatable, objective,and because it is economical.The series can be prototypes for mass-production.Series DW (at Fischers) is made of corrugated cardboard, which is lightweight and inexpensive: a material for consumption.Often, the elements or their combinations are very large in order to alter thespatial surroundings all the more thoroughly. They approximate architecturaldimensions and for this also reason increasingly differ from the former galleryobjects.They are less and less recognizable as works of art.The objects are intended to have the objective character of industrial products.They are not intended to represent anything other than what they are.The previous categorization of the arts no longer exists. Future artists will haveto work with a team of experts in a development laboratory.Although arts formal development has progressed at an increasing tempo, itssocial function has withered.Art is a commodity that is only temporarily contemporary, yet the market isminute, and prestige and prices rise the less current the supply is.I find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that art can contribute nothing tothe solution of pressing social problems.

Offenbach, February 11, 1968

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CoverReliefs Series B, 1967-2011 (detail)

p. 2 3 Exhibition view The Same But Different, BerlinReliefs Series B, 1967-2011Revolving Doors Seriess E, 1967/68-2011Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011

p. 4 5 Exhibition view The Same But Different, Berlin Revolving Doors Series E, 1967/68-2011Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011

p. 6 7 Revolving Doors Series E, 1967/68-2011200 x 200 x 200 cm

p. 8Revolving Doors Series E, 1967/68-2011100 x 100 x 100 cm

p. 9Exhibition view The Same But Different, BerlinRevolving Doors Series E, 1967/68-2011Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011

p. 10 11Exhibition view The Same But Different, Berlin

p. 12 13Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011

p. 14 15Reliefs Series B, 1967-2011 (details)

p. 16 Exhibition view The Same But Different, BerlinReliefs Series B, 1967-2011Square Tubes Series D, 1967-2011

p. 17Square Tubes Series D, 1967-2011

p. 18 19Exhibition view The Same But Different, BerlinSquare Tubes Series D, 1967-2011

All Revolving Doors Series E Steel frame, aluminum coated plastic slabs, spray paint, revolvable on 3 or 4 axes

All Reliefs Series B spray painted aluminum, each 100 x 50 x 14 cm

All Square Tubes Series D steel sheet, hot-dip galvanised and part of a modular system with adaptable dimensions

All works are authorised reconstructions and come with a certificate by the estate

This catalogue was published on the occasion of Charlotte Posenenskes exhibition The Same But Different, Berlin at Mehdi Chouakri Gallery, September 9 October 22, 2011

Photographs by Jan Windszus, Berlin

All works Burkhard Brunnand courtesy Mehdi Chouakri Gallery

1000 copiesPrinted by Spree Druck, Berlin

The Same But Different, Berlin is the fifth in a series of publications celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Mehdi Chouakri Gallery

Mehdi ChouakriInvalidenstrasse 11710115 BerlinT + 49 30 28 39 11 53F + 49 30 28 39 11 54galerie@mehdi-chouakri.comwww.mehdi-chouakri.com