Erwin Wurm Photographer/Sculptor

Erwin Wurms work is “generally accessible on a primary level.” His goal is to reach as many people as he can, no matter their status. He gets his inspiration from referencing comic strips, quotes, and science fiction movies. His work reveals the darker side of human nature. To quote him: “I am interested in how people see themselves compared to the greater world as a whole.” He feels truths about society and human existence can be explored in different ways than just serious. This is why he uses humor in his work. It is a lighter way to explore these issues. By doing this he is mocking those in power who see themselves too seriously.

He is well known for his series “One Minute Sculptures." These series give written instructions and props for people to carry out, which are then photographed or taped. The picture of the old man with utensils coming from his face, the man against the wall, and the two women are from this series. These are big one on audience participation, and encourages everyone to be a piece of art.

Erwin likes to create powerful images that are clear and to the point. The impact is direct. His images also deal with icons of our time and society. These following pictures are example of how in your face and aggressive he is. The two with the man are sexual. They are using fruit in the place of human parts. This adds a comical feel, but the pictures are blunt. The man does not look happy, but the viewer is questioning why he has fruit in those places.

The "Artist begging for Mercy" does not make the artist look like the good guy. He is dressed in black and on his knees. The yellow (lemon?) in his mouth draws the viewers eyes to the spark of color.

"Outdoor sculpture Cahors" is a great example of Wurm's work. By capturing a gesture that only lasts for a second in time, Wurm makes it a lasting piece of work, while making the human body the material. By using only a body and a wall, Wurm showcases interactions in the world, waiting to be discovered.


"Instructions on How to Be Politically Incorrect" is some of my favorite work by him. How odd the images are make it hard for me to look away.
The first two he has created scenarios where people are looking for bombs in unlikely places. For me this relates to how our society reacted after 9/11. This is a serious topic, but again he has done it by humor. Formally I like these pictures too. The people look unaware of the camera, but we know these are staged. Their faces are serious, annoyed, but the pictures are still comical. The colors are neutral and the settings are all social places. The natural daylight works well for a realistic tone.




The one of the man with his pants down is "Fuck the 3rd World." I was surprised when I read this title. The image looks juvenile or some prank being played out. But the angle of the shot draws the viewers eyes down the wall and to the man. The man is white and older hanging onto an old, worn out wall. This shows the white man demoralizing the wall. This image is pushing the limits to what is humour or crossing the line.



I love this photo. The young girl slurps over a friends soup (Which we all know is inappropriate). The look in her eye is mischievous. The colors are vibrant, and the scene looks like it could really be happening. The girl is crossing the line, but yet the image is still playful.

As for materials he uses everything around him. Anything or person can be his subject matter. This helps him explore contemporary society. He likes to explore the whole entity of the human (spiritual, physical, physiological and political). Sarcasm and humor are his tools to do this,he still pays attention to formal elements (color, composition, form). According to Art in America he is a minimalist but pays “homage to artist traditions by undermining them” (Cash 86). There is something interesting how he gets the viewer to interact with his objects. There is also a fascination with how many people are willing to participate.He has done a great job exploring the interaction between drawing and performance.
Changes the way we look and interact with everyday objects.

As for his body of work: Objects in his earlier pieces dealt with more permanent instillation's with things like dust, furniture, and clothing. His more recent pieces involve photo and video. His photos range from all sizes. From smaller ones in installations to large ones blown up to life-size on the wall. The large size shows power. According to Glen, “The latter position is as intimate as it is uncomfortable” Wurm’s work generally exists in a zone where seemingly playful explorations occur within strictly prescribed parameters” (Glen 187).

Images copy write: "artnet" and "picsearch"