Constellations

You will find the work Constellations at the end of the first tunnel which leads into the new museum building. The artwork dates back to the exhibition "Arp Craig-Martin Arp". It was the first exhibition after the renovation and re-opening of the station in 2004. Constellations was the main work in this exhibition. It was installed permanently in the exhibition rooms with the support of the Kreissparkasse Ahrweiler.

The black-and-white wallpaper designed by Craig-Martin shows the outlines of a wide range of everyday objects. They are machine-made, mass-produced items such as scissors, a bucket and a mobile telephone. In some places these motifs are picked out in colour on picture panels which have been inserted. Their contours remain unchanged.

As we look at the work, we find ourselves asking the following question: what is the significance of the difference between mass printed goods and a painting in the age of technical reproducibility?

The artist combines two techniques in his pictures: drawing and painting. In doing so Craig-Martin develops a universal visual language consisting of both everyday and artistic objects which is clearly legible and yet at the same time demonstrates both formal and substantial complexity. Thus in his works he symbolises our utilitarian and everyday world.

Michael Craig-Martin was born in Dublin in 1941. He lives and works in London.