Banz & Bowinkel
Giulia Bowinkel (*1983) and Friedemann Banz (*1980) live in Berlin and have been working together under the name Banz & Bowinkel since 2009. In 2007 they graduated from the Art Academy with Albert Oehlen and started making art with computers. Their work includes computer-generated imagery, animation, augmented imagery, virtual realities, and installations.
The award-winning works of Giulia Bowinkel and Friedemann Banz have been exhibited among others in the Museum Abteiberg in Mönchengladbach, in the Haus Esters/Haus Lange, at the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum in Krefeld, at the Haus of the electronic arts in Basel, in the Halle für Kunst & Medien in Graz, at the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen and at the NRW-Kunstforum Düsseldorf. Their works are part of the collections of the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum in Krefeld, the Museum Kunstpalast and the Kunsthaus NRW. Banz & Bowinkel live and work in Berlin, Germany.
Link: www.banzbowinkel.de, actively participating members from 2019 to 2022 and continuing to be friends of the project
Banz und Bowinkel: Bodypainting:
Banz und Bowinkel: Bodypainting V 16, augmented CGI, 200x150cm, 2019, Courtesy: Kunst und Denker, Düsseldorf, DAM Gallery, Berlin
The work of the artist duo Banz und Bowinkel shown in the exhibition was created using CGI (computer-generated imaging). In a motion-capture studio, the artists' performative movements are first digitally recorded using sensors attached to the body. The resulting virtual and 3-dimensional "traces" of body movements are loaded into a CAD program (Cinema 4D) and digitally provided with simulated color and a simulated surface, giving the impression of free-floating liquids. The rendered and virtual "color-drippings" have a "photographic-realistic" appearance. A selected image section is finally rendered, and printed out as an inkjet print and provided with a frame. The status of the "body" under digital conditions is addressed by the transmission and transformation of the "real", taken place movements into the virtual, "bodiless" and purely calculatory sphere/realm of the computer. Another level of meaning of the work results from the use of color as a citation, as a "trace" of traditionally painterly and thus physical actions.
Text: Michael Reisch
Banz und Bowinkel: Bodypaint_V_08, augmented CGI, 150x200 cm, 2019
Banz und Bowinkel: Bodypainting | 01, augmented CGI, 2014, Courtesy: Kunst und Denker, Düsseldorf, DAM Gallery, Berlin
Banz und Bowinkel: Bodypainting | 05, augmented CGI, 2014, Courtesy: Kunst und Denker, Düsseldorf, DAM Gallery, Berlin
Banz und Bowinkel: Substance | 08, augmented CGI, 140x105cm, 2017 Courtesy: Kunst und Denker, Düsseldorf, DAM Gallery, Berlin
Banz & Bowinkel: ‚Monitor‘:
Banz & Bowinkel: ‚Monitor‘, 2013, 40x50cm, Courtesy: Galerie Falko Alexander, Köln Kunst & Denker, Düsseldorf, DAM Gallery, Berlin
The work shown in the exhibition by the artist-duo Banz und Bowinkel is a digital reconstruction and visualization of „historical“, pre-digital, early monitors of the 20th century. For this purpose computer-generated imaging (CGI) is used, whereby the „monitors“ are digitally simulated or reproduced on the basis of construction plans and historical illustrations / photos. Finally, the digital renderings are printed out as inkjet prints and framed. The approach of Banz and Bowinkel is, to a certain extent, „photographic“, as it tries to reproduce - at least previously - existent facts true to nature. However, at the moment of „recording“, the 3D reconstruction has no direct contact with the monitors. The „photographic“ effect of the rendered images is not based on traditional-photographic, but exclusively on their iconic character. Thus similarity aspects, reality-virtuality and absence of presence play a central role in Banz and Bowinkel‘s „Monitor“ work.
Text: Michael Reisch
Banz & Bowinkel: Installationview‚ ‚Monitor‘, 2013, Courtesy: Galerie Falko Alexander, Köln Kunst & Denker, Düsseldorf
Banz & Bowinkel: ‚Monitor‘, 50x40cm, 2013, Courtesy: Galerie Falko Alexander, Köln Kunst & Denker, Düsseldorf
Banz & Bowinkel: Installationview‚ ‚Monitor‘, 2013, Courtesy: Galerie Falko Alexander, Köln