Hölzl Daniel

Artwork’s Title: Grounded no. three

Materials Used: 100% recycled carbon fiber, recycled paraffin wax, aluminum, 80 x 110 x 5 cm, part of an ongoing series

Studio Based: Berlin

Can you tell us about the process of making your work?

I mostly work on site-specific installations that contain an element of constant change. What is important to me are the dynamics, both between the individual materials of the installation and those between object, space and exhibition visitors. This is the case for all my work, but especially the GROUNDED series that we are talking about today, requires background information in order to speak somewhat about its complexity.

Analogue photography of airplanes shot in 2018, which is then digitally scanned, edited and reframed, forms the basis for the monochrome paintings and already underlines the dualities of this new body of work.

Not only does this series inherit conceptual ideas from my installations cycle no. one (2018) and cycle no. two (2019), but it sources all its materials from the two same site specific works. By extending the new series, the former slowly but surely vanishes.

The recycled carbon fiber from cycle no. two enters yet another phase and fuses with the melted wax from cycle no. one. Layer by layer, the hot wax is applied onto, what is initially, a fragile carbon fiber fabric, which bears marks from its previous use. Once cooled another labour intensive process begins, wherein the wax is remelted and, whilst strictly following the characteristics and contours of the now hardened carbon fiber canvas, the image is rendered by hand with a modified soldering iron. Line after line the wax is melted away again, but some lines are stopped instinctively creating a glitch-like effect. The final images created through a reverse process with a likeness to binary code, as equal value is given to both the negative and positive space.

How would you define your work in a few words (ideally in 3 words)?

Cyclical, sensitive, “non-instagrammable” haha,…layered I think.

Would you use another three different words to describe the ‘Grounded no. three’ painting?

A hybrid questioning potentiality.

How did you come up with this painting idea? Is there any story behind this painting?

That’s hard to pinpoint with this one based on the fact that certain elements of it go back as far as 2018. Nevertheless, one could say that I finally was able to piece the whole puzzle together during the first Lockdown in 2020.

Grounded no. Three is part of an ongoing series of works, which pose questions about temporality, contrasting revolutionary technologies and materials, globalisation and how we occupy spaces of movement especially in times like these. Considering forms of transportation as well as the zeitgeist issues around pandemic mobility, the question apparent becomes: what and who stays grounded?

When looking outside my bedroom window I see the former Tempelhof Airport /Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin, a landmark speaking about so many things related to my work. That in itself gave me such a strong image to think about. I painted the whole series in this very room.

What would be the best way to exhibit your work?

That totally depends on the concept I am currently working with, but I would say that my paintings, as much as the site-specific work, all need to be viewed in person.

Only the AR filter I created for two shows in 2020 is meant to be seen on a small cellphone screen and then becomes mobile 😉

What does your mum think about your art?

I am very privileged and grateful for having a loving mother who has always supported my career choice,… I know, people keep on telling me how rare that is. She believes in my work and we talk a lot about art in general. My mother is very honest, which I truly love about her, so she definitely gives me unfiltered feedback whenever she sees something I created. Luckily she likes most of it.

Which are your plans for the near future?

I will definitely continue working on the GROUNDED series a bit more and once possible show a bigger group of them to the public. I also have three big installations planned for 2021 so it will be an exciting year. I will post updates about all of that on my Instagram @hoelzldaniel and afterwards the installation shots will be uploaded on my website www.hoelzldaniel.com

So stay tuned and thanks so much for your time.

Additional Images

All images are courtesy of the artist