Artist-to-Artist: Fabian Knecht Proposed by Olafur Eliasson

‘Fabian’s works are executed with a conceptual clarity that simultaneously has the poetic weight of a feather and is as heavy as the earth.’ – Olafur Eliasson

Presented by alexander levy at Frieze London

The textile works of Laughing is Suspicious consist of fragments of personal clothing woven into nets. Their original function was as camouflage to protect Russian targets in Ukraine. Bridging art and utility, they adapt their purpose to specific locations. Their aesthetic depth arises from this nexus of context and content, both generic and site-specific. The works embody the exchange between the artist and his collaborators, members of the Ukrainian resistance. Following the invasion of Ukraine, Knecht joined them to support their efforts. He also collaborates with the Kyiv aid organisation Livyj Bereh and its partners. Laughing is Suspicious aptly encapsulates the concept of “soziale Plastik”, socio-political from its foundation, whose proceeds also support Ukrainian humanitarian projects.

Eliasson writes: 'What I admire about Fabian Knecht’s work is the seeming effortlessness with which he singles out fundamental ideas related to human existence. Whether it’s a monumental task, like clearing a street of cars or releasing a cloud of smoke from the roof of a museum; a project that demands enormous personal commitment, as in his engagement in Ukraine since the Russian invasion; or an apparently small gesture like removing a single floorboard from a gallery floor – the works are executed with a conceptual clarity that simultaneously has the poetic weight of a feather and is as heavy as the earth.'

Fabian Knecht 

b. 1980, German; lives and works in Berlin

Fabian Knecht’s works are anti-authoritarian incisions into the world. Progressive and nonconformist, they engage with an increasingly small world determined by rules and pre-existing structures. His work has been shown in institutions including the Museum for Contemporary Art Zagreb, Moscow Biennale for Young Art, Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin, Imperial War Museum London and Kunsthalle Mannheim.

Olafur Eliasson

b. 1967, Icelandic-Danish; lives and works in Copenhagen & Berlin

The works of artist Olafur Eliasson explore the relevance of art in the world at large. Since 1997, his wide-ranging solo shows – featuring installations, paintings, sculptures, photography and film – have appeared in major museums around the globe. In 2003, he represented Denmark at the 50th Venice Biennale and later that year he installed The weather project at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, London. Eliasson’s projects in public space include The New York City Waterfalls, 2008; Fjordenhus, Vejle, 2018; and Ice Watch, 2014. In 2012, Eliasson founded the social business Little Sun and in 2014, he and Sebastian Behmann founded Studio Other Spaces, an office for art and architecture. In 2019, Eliasson was named UNDP Goodwill Ambassador for climate action. Located in Berlin, Studio Olafur Eliasson comprises a large team of craftspeople, architects, archivists, researchers, administrators, cooks, art historians and specialized technicians.  

Further Information

Frieze London takes place concurrently with Frieze Masters from 11–15 October in The Regent’s Park, London.

To keep up to date on all the latest news from Frieze, sign up to the newsletter at frieze.com, and follow @friezeofficial on Instagram and Twitter, and Frieze Official on Facebook.

Tickets

Early-bird tickets to the fairs are now sold out. Limited full-price tickets have just been released. Don’t miss out, book yours now.

BUY TICKETS NOW

_{Main Image: Fabian Knecht, Lachen Ist Verdächtig (Laughing is Suspicious), 2023, textile, 2.9 × 2.3 m. Courtesy of the artist and alexander levy, Berlin}