Gestalten

The work “Gestalten” displays photographs of temporary sculptures, composed of people and all their possessions of clothing. As an everyday companion, our second skin is as present as it is invisible. It is a means of communication, an expression of status, an archive, a shelter, and a habitat. So close to our bodies, clothing functions as a mirror of the interior and as a boundary to the outside world. By extending the body through its own clothes, the garments come to the fore, but as a matter of material, as a part of the body and its history, as a manifold deputy of the person. A mass of identity, culture, and memory, an archive of a period of time. In the picture, this creates a very strong presence of the characters, although in some cases they are barely recognizable. The figures are very specifically personal, but they are also open to universal human interpretation — a collective study of the relationship of the body to clothing and clothing to the body. These textile sculptures evolve, kind of imitate their wearer, and transform them into an exaggerated version of themselves.

Artist Bios

Madeleine Brunnmeier

Madeleine Brunnmeier (1995) is an artist based in Berlin, Germany. With a background in Visual Communication from Berlin University of the Arts (2017-2023) and Musashino Art University Tokyo (2022), her work spans various mediums including photography, video, printmaking, and installation. Her artistic practice is characterized by curiosity, keen attention to detail, and occasionally a subtle sense of humor. Exploring the nuanced relationships between individuals and their environment, both observationally and conceptually, she seamlessly navigates between fictional narratives and research-driven approaches. Utilizing everyday objects and materials such as wood, clothes, bread, and even her own body, her work blurs the lines between the ordinary and the extraordinary. By transforming these familiar elements into evocative symbols, she invites viewers to reconsider their relationship with the world around them and to explore the hidden narratives embedded within the fabric of everyday life.

Madeleine’s artistic journey has allowed her to showcase her work internationally. Notable highlights include being recognised as a runner-up in the MATERIALS MATTER: Textile Exchange x Magnum contest (2023) and the UP23 Photography contest, as well as receiving the silver award at DEUTSCHER FOTOBUCHPREIS (2023) for her graduation work ‘Gestalten’. Madeleine currently lives and works as a freelance artist in Berlin.

Organizations

The Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance
Photoville

Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.

In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.

By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.

Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.

For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com
NYC Parks

NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.