Grand Central

With the minimalist, large-scale installation Grand Central, Valentin Ruhry offers at MAK a subtle critique of the experiential dimension of modern consumer culture.

As part of the programmatic series Applied Arts.Now Valentin Ruhry’s solo exhibition “Grand Central” alludes to the corporate design of the product displays for digital devices from international corporations.

The work is meant to be interpreted against the background of the topic of decentralization, an integral component of the digital world, visions and developments that evoke contemporary, global concepts of consumption.

With the title “Grand Central”, the artist both literally and figuratively references the theme of decentralization. He also points to the place where a company known around the world for its technological innovations in software and hardware has operated one of its largest stores since 2011: Grand Central Terminal in New York, which is frequented by 750,000 people daily.

The subtle self-evidence of the presence of product displays in the middle of large expanses of public space is amplified by the absence of cash registers and check-out lines. With the sacred quality of their product displays, seductive aesthetics, and emotional advertising campaigns, companies today – particularly in the digital realm – subliminally play with the spirit of consumption in today’s society.

Valentin Ruhry, "Grand Central". View of the exhibition

In the MAK GALLERY, Ruhry presents his interpretation of an important component of such consumerist appeal: the display, minimalist, elegant wooden tables. Instead of the technologies normally offered for sale, Ruhry presents a selection of everyday objects from the context of the train station, which are made of cast, brushed aluminum. To complement these works, the artist developed a series of wall-mounted pieces as well as a thematically related work using lights.

Before the exhibition at the MAK, Valentin Ruhry spent several months in the United States, where he continued his research on decentralized networks and alternative currencies, among other projects. In his exhibition concept, the artist, whose work shifts between sculpture and conceptual art, was inspired not only by questions of formal aesthetics, but also by current sociological and economic issues such as the sharing economy, Bitcoin, startups, regulated markets, and the “new” art market, in which social networks play a prominent role.

Valentin Ruhry, "Grand Central". View of the exhibition

Valentin Ruhry, "Grand Central". View of the exhibition

Valentin Ruhry, "Grand Central". View of the exhibition

until January 11, 2015
Valentin Ruhry
Grand Central
curated by Marlies Wirth
a Cooperation of the MAK and the University of Applied Arts Vienna
MAK
Stubenring 5, Vienna

Grand Central

With the minimalist, large-scale installation Grand Central, Valentin Ruhry offers at MAK a subtle critique of the experiential dimension of modern consumer culture.

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