Ger van Elk

1941 - 2014

Work

Untitled (Vertical landscape)

2007 250 x 87 cm Photograph retouched with ink on cibachrome between plexiglass, 2 parts

Rotterdam horizon

2007 49 x 170 cm Color photograph between perspex plates

Birds over Seurat

2004 70 x 88 cm Video on LCD screen in oak frame

Study for Rotterdam horizon

2001 16 x 122.5 cm Acrylic on color photograph

Kinselmeer (de Stompe Toren in Randsdorp at night)

1996 26 x 98 cm Color photograph retouched with ink, between plexiglass

Study (C de X) Slash and Push

1996 95 x 112 cm Color photograph and acrylic paint on board

Bana brut

1988 121.5 x 174 x 39.5 cm Lacquer and varnish on photo, mounted in wooden frame

Biography of Ger van Elk

'A work of art exists of the components idea and material. One does not stand apart from the other. I chose for a good concept and the best way to give form to that concept'. (Exhibition catalogue, 'Op het tweede gezicht: Ger van Elk', Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, 1979)

Ger van Elk (1941-2014) worked with various media. Photography, film, assemblage, canvas, rope, wood; the media he used depended on the idea he had in mind. His subject matter often came from art itself. What is the position of the artist? How do we look at the reality surrounding us? What determines our vision? Questions Van Elk often asked himself. His approach was serious and humoristic at the same time.

Together with Jan Dibbets and Marinus Boezem, Ger van Elk formed the core group of Conceptual art in The Netherlands. Most significant for Van Elks association with conceptual art was his participation in the 1968 exhibition 'Rassegna d' Arti Figurative 3: Arte Povera + Azioni Povere' in Amalfi and in 1969 in the concurrent avant-garde surveys 'Op Losse Schroeven/situaties en cryptostructuren' at the Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum and 'When Attitudes Become Form: Works-Concepts- Processes- Situations- Information', which travelled from Bern to Krefeld to London. In 1972, Van Elk was one of the seventy-five participants, running from Acconci, Ader and Baldessari to Warhol, Wegman and Weiner, in the Düsseldorf staged 'Prospekt 71/Projektion' dedicated to slide projection, video, photo-text, and film. Since then the artist appeared in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Europe and the US.

Exhibitions

Just for a few weeks

21 October - 11 November 2017 Fall Exhibition

Ger van Elk | The Horizon and Beyond

30 October - 29 November 2015

Ger van Elk | As was as is

8 September - 13 October 2012

after zero

12 November - 3 December 2011

Publications

Borzo Publication | Newsletter 49
Borzo Publication | Newsletter 45
Borzo Publication | Newsletter 28
Borzo Publication | Newsletter 25