With an interest in
stratified levels of creative activity and its varied manifestations, Bernd
Krauss's practice references both the quotidian experience as well as the
endeavors of high culture. While simultaneously embodying the hobbyist and the
contemporary artist, Krauss employs traditional craft techniques as well as a
conceptualized approach to production.
The opposition
between form and content is amplified by an embedding of production into
different cultural formats. This may best be understood through Krauss's
engagement with various cultural institutions in the form of the artist’s
commission. This collaborative model of production requires an adaptation of
identity within the shifting contexts of each institution. The results reflect
both the potential, as well as the limitations of this power dynamic. Possible
outcomes may involve workshops, exhibition curating/production, public
interventions and analog or digital monitoring of some of them.
Since 1999 Krauss is
editor in chief of DER RIECHER, a magazine that explores the format of the
newspaper in the day-to-day battle with information. “Your friend is my enemy”
or “Write your RIECHER before the neighbours do” are slogans that are handy to
start the day. (derriecher.blogspot.com)