Delightful Companions

Cheerful, light, and airy—that is the impression made by Gabriele Ludewig’s Balloons. Yet, contrary to what the series' title implies, these are massive sculptures of powerful physical presence, crafted as classic sculptural works from Artstone or shaped from plaster. Analyzed structurally into their individual elements, they evoke the impression of a series of stacked, partially deformed, and compressed convex bodies made from a soft, elastic mass. However, if one fully engages with their overall effect, it feels more like encountering a delightful companion.

The curves of the Balloons are delicately balanced; the entire figure seems to just hold its equilibrium, as long as nothing slips and the individual segments do not deform further under the influence of pressure and gravity. Yet, it is not only the somewhat undisciplined, seemingly disordered, and slightly »quirky« shapes that transfer a buoyant lightness to the viewer. Equally essential are the intense colors, whose aesthetic evokes cheerful comics, the color palette of Pop Art, or indeed colorful party balloons, almost inevitably triggering positive associations—such as carefree play, a joyous childhood, and pure joie de vivre.

More about the artist: Gabriele Ludewigs' artist page