Simone Kessler

Marattiopsidacyanotype on cotton fabric, 46 x 46 cm
cyanotype on cotton fabric, 46 x 46 cm
Quercus ilex II2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 157 × 132 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 157 × 132 cm
(exhibition view)
Tangle I (Ginkgo biloba)2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 46 × 30 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 46 × 30 cm
(exhibition view)
Raíz V2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 22 × 28 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 22 × 28 cm
(exhibition view)
Ramalina farinacea II2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 16 x 18 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 16 x 18 cm
(exhibition view)
Ginkgo biloba2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 137 x 137 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 137 x 137 cm
(exhibition view)
Tangle II (Ginkgo biloba)2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 37 x 25 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 37 x 25 cm
(exhibition view)
Chlorophytum comosum2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 63,5 × 82 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 63,5 × 82 cm
(exhibition view)
Raíz I (Quercus ilex)2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 82 × 67 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 82 × 67 cm
(exhibition view)
Raíz II (Quercus ilex)2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 62 × 82 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 62 × 82 cm
(exhibition view)
Gefüge2021, (exhibition view)
2021
(exhibition view)
Gefüge2021, (exhibition view)
2021
(exhibition view)
Gefüge2021, (exhibition view)
2021
(exhibition view)
Gefüge2021, (exhibition view)
2021
(exhibition view)
Gefüge2021, (exhibition view)
2021
(exhibition view)
Quercus ilex2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 82 × 114 cm, (exhibition view)
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric framed with lime, 82 × 114 cm
(exhibition view)
Raíz VI2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric, 21,6 × 28,3 cm
2021, cyanotype on cotton fabric, 21,6 × 28,3 cm

Gefüge is an ecosophical examination of the cognitive and communicative
structures of plants. Following Anna Atkins (English
botanist and photographer, 1799 - 1871), Kessler focuses on an
artistic field study of the root connections of trees and smaller
plants. The photograms, taken on location, show a detailed
image of the underground ramifications. Due to their almost
graphic reduction, it is nevertheless hard to tell if is it a root
network, the discharge of electrical particles, a nerve thread
or a vascular system? The large-format fabric panels allow us
to get very close to the motifs and concurrently make us aware
that any analysis of living systems requires a separation of
individual parts that can never do justice to the totality of the
complex.

From the Series Earthly Matters:

At the height of global capitalism, we continue to consume, produce and live in a world that cannot regenerate at nearly the same speed. The body of work Earthly Matters defines our scope of action within this scenario as a space for imagination. Simone Kessler‘s current works from installations and sculptures to film, photographs and drawings. Each work is dedicated, in its way, to central questions: Which problems do we have to face today? Which other images of tomorrow are already possible? How can we think them together? To use the last words of a science fiction trilogy by Octavia E. Butler: How can we sow them into fertile soil?

Earthly Matters is a body of work since 2019