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PORTFOLIOS |
DIE APOKALYPSE
Portfolio clothbound with leatherback, 59 x 50 cm
with a preface by
Dr. Walter Koschatzky
Direktor of the Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Wien
and an introduction by
Prof. Dr. theol. Alexander Sand
Professor for exegese and interpretation of the new testament
Seven Etchings, Copper 34,5 x 34,5 cm on handmade paper, 56 x 46 cm
Each print in a map with the original text and interpretation
1. DAS BUCH MIT DEN SIEBEN SIEGELN
( THE BOOK SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS )
2. DIE ERSTEN VIER POSAUNEN
( THE FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS )
3. DER ENGEL DES ABGRUNDS
( THE ANGEL OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT )
4. SONNENWEIB UND DRACHE
( THE WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN AND THE DRAGON )
5. DIE SIEBEN GEFÄSSE
( THE SEVEN VIALS )
6. DER SIEGER ÜBER BABYLON
( THE VICTOR OVER BABYLON )
7. DIE HIMMLISCHE STADT
( THE HEAVENLY CITY )
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From his earlyest artistic beginning, Peter Proksch choosed the antique mythology on the one hand, the christian iconography on the other hand, as the content of his thinking, interpretation and creation. Fascinated of the scenic happenings in those fundamental sources of tradition, of the symbolic virtue of the figures and of the possibility to fit in personal ideas, he surched for his artistic way. This involved him, obviously, very soon with various manifestations of the Viennese Phantastic Realism, without calling him a disciple of this group. His personal expressiveness protected him to become an epigone. What connects him with, is the way of painting like old masters, the perfect technical mastery. For painting it is the glazing way of egg-tempera, for graphics it is the art of etching. But what he has to say, is based on completely different ideas. For centuries, the art of etching is a valuable possibility of artistic notification, only philistines think, it would be a kind of reproduction.
The etching artist is the real "Peintre-Graveur", the free artist in a medium, which is incomparable. Nowadays, by technical alterations, some unedifying methods took hold: phototechnical transcriptions by reproducing printers, heliographs instead of manual working, methods which are suitable to query etching in general. In this situation it is extremly important, if works like those presented by Peter Proksch, only for its technical mastery come up to a model function. On it you have to take new measurements.
Thematically the
artist concentrates on the most mysterious and enigmatic of christian
spirituality, on the last book of the NewTestament, the Book Of Revelation.
With intensiv care for a current interpretation of the text, he was
successful, creating a series of etchings with textual and technical
importance of high level. From both points of view it is the same:
the meticulousnes and density of tradition is timeless transfered
to the present time. His ability of expression - seen again textual
and technical - is equally astonishing. Because, with all that love
for details, with all that details of notification, there is still
the virtue of entirety, which determinates the impression. Never the
artistic expression is behind the thematical information, that would
only result a superficial accumulation of figures and figurines. But
never a formal intention defeated the textual component, that would
be an empty pretending. Only if content and form becomes realy identical,
if they fuse to a integral whole, you may speak of a work of art.
And this applies extremly to these etchings of Peter Proksch. He added
a new highlight to his wide graphic and artistic work. Something may
be frightening, shocking and only be understood after a long time
of contemplation; but that is what we, more than ever, need today.
To think over with calm the fears, the rule of the bad and his power.
Only than, out of an esthetic performance, art becomes a sensation.
To touch people in there depth, to satisfy them and raise them out
of everyday occurrence, that is the timeless responsibility. This
series of etchings will come up to it.
Dr. Walter Koschatzky
Director of the Graphische Sammlung Albertina,
Vienna
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