Gallery Artists

John Armleder

Portrait
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John M Armleder is regarded as one of the most important representatives of intermediate contemporary art and has caused a sensation as an action and concept artist as well as with his geometric abstractions, installations and objets trouvés. He was born in Geneva in 1948. In 1969 he founded the artist group and later gallery "Ecart", which organized publications, exhibitions and actions until its dissolution in 1983.

In 1977 John Armleder also constituted the "Leathern Wing Scribble Press" and participated in the founding of the Milanese artists' cooperative "Laboratorio". In his early work Armleder was close to the Fluxus movement and also dealt with Mail Art. Later he became a pioneer of Neo Geo and created reduced paintings, often based on Constructivism, on a variety of media. He also created various graphics, objects, installations, environments, and objects trouvés.

Many of John M. Armleder's works are characterized by a targeted negation of individual handwriting. John M. Armleder, who has held professorships at the Braunschweiger Hochschule für Bildende Künste and the Ecole Cantonale d'Art de Lausanne since 1994, lives and works in his native city of Geneva.

Biography
Group ExhibitionsSolo Exhibitions
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BORN 

1948
Geneva, Switzerland.
Lives and works in Geneva, Switzerland and New York, NY, USA.

1966 - 1967 
Studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Geneva, Switzerland.

1969
Foundation of the Groupe ECART with Patrick Lucchini and Claude Rychner, Geneva, Switzerland.

1973 - 1983
Foundation of the gallery ECART, Geneva, ECART Editions & Publications, Geneva, Switzerland.

1992 - 2000 
Member of the Swiss Federal Comission for the Fine-Arts, Bern, Switzerland.

1994 - present
Professor at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany and at the Ecole Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

 

PERFORMANCES

2011
Ecart, „Chronolgie en cinq yours“, Forde, Geneva, Switzerland.

2007
“About Nothing: As usual“, John M Armleder & Christian Marclay, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
“Event and Exhibit (1967-2007)“, Mamco, Geneva, Switzerland.

2006
“Mostly Silent Music“, Cabinet des Estampes, Geneva, Switzerland.

2004
“About Nothing, Live!“, Kunsthalle, Zurich, Switzerland.

2002
“Gasthoff“ (mit Klasse Armleder), Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Bremen, Germany.*

1999
Kunsthalle Bern, Berne, Switzerland.

 

CONFERENCES

2007
Tate Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
South London Gallery, London, UK.

2006
Sculpture Center, New York, NY, USA.

2005
Kunstmuseum, Basel, Switzerland.

2003
“The Swiss Art Scene Today“, ARCO, Madrid, Spain.
“Far for Peace, Fondtazione Ratti“, MAXXI, Rome, Italy.
“L’art sans les artistes“, Entretiens sur l’art, Espace Paul Ricard, Paris, France.
“Tabou I – Dieter Roth, dernier provocateur des Modernes“, Centre Dürenmatt, Biel, Switzerland.
“Minimalism and After“, DaimlerChrysler Contemporary, Berlin, Germany.
“Art and Architecture in Discussion“, Art Basel, Basel, Switzerland.*
“Sammlung DaimlerChrysler“, zkm, Karlsruhe, Germany.

2002
“Zukunftsvisionen“, Schweizerisches Institut für Kunstwissenschaft, Zurich, Switzerland.
“Kunst nach Kunst“, Neues Museum am Weserberg, Bremen, Germany.
“Kunst auas der Schweiz...“, Pro Helvetia, Kunsthaus, Zurich, Switzerland.
Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France,

2001
Künstlergespräch, Kunsttraum, Innsbruck, Austria.
“Welcome Party“, Gallery 360°, Tokyo, Japan.
L’artiste et son Musée“, Les Revues Parlées, Centre Pompidou, Paris, France.

1999
“RE“ NEW ART Workshop 2“, Casino Luxembourg.
Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand.
“big talk“, (loop I), art exchange, Berlin, Germany.

 

AS CURATOR/CO-CURATOR in 2003-2013

„All of the Above“, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France.
“Yellow Pages“, Turm Galerie 333, Helmstedt, Germany; Mamco, Geneva, Switzerland.
“Never Mind Your Step + Yellow Pages + 20“, Palazzo Liestal, Switzerland.*
“None of the Above“ Swiss Center New York, NY, USA (2004).*
“Lovely Shanghai Music, kunstverein Hannover, Germany; Zendai Museum, Shanghai, China.*
“At the Home in the Universe“, Mongin Gallery, Seoul, South Korea.*
“Introvert, Extrovert, Makes no Difference“, Galerie Catherine Issert, Saint Paul de Vence, France.
„Ecal, a Success Story“, ELAC, Renens/Lausanne, Switzerland.

 

SELECTED GRANTS & AWARDS

2011    Prix Meret Oppenheim
2007    Prix de la Leenaards, Lausanne
1995    Prix de la Ville de Genève
1979    Eidgenössisches Kunststipendium
1978    Eidgenössisches Kunststipendium
1977    Eidgenössisches Kunststipendium
1976    Kiefer Hablitzel Stipendium
1974    Kiefer Hablitzel Stipendium
1972    Kiefer Hablitzel Stipendium

Works

John Armleder

Brillian Xanthinus Arborescens, 2008

Mixed media on canvas

300 x 200 cm

John Armleder

Agastache foeniculum, 2008

Mixed media on canvas

240 x 110 cm

John Armleder

Calcite, 2008

Acrylic on canvas

200 x 200 cm

John Armleder

Cimicifuga simplex, 2008

Mixed media on canvas

170 x 130 cm

John Armleder

The Nostalgia of the Infinite, 2012

Acrylic on canvas

100 x 100 cm 39 1/2 x 39 1/2 in.

John Armleder

Dolomite, 2015

Acrylic on canvas

150 x 150 cm 59 x 59 in.

John Armleder

Galène, 2015

Acrylic on canvas

150 x 150 cm 59 x 59 in.

John Armleder

Abortiporus biennis, 2015

Mixed media on canvas

240 x 200 cm 94 1/2 x 78 3/4 in.

John Armleder

Untitled (FS 245), 1990

Acrylic on canvas and Marshall amplifier model 2205 and Marshall box model 1960B

Canvas: 190 x 190 cm (74 3/4 x 74 3/4 in.) Amplifier & Box: 110 x 77 x 38 cm (43 1/3 x 30 1/3 x 15 in.)

John Armleder

Party to a crime, 2003

25 white fluorescent lights

Dimensions variable

John Armleder

Untitled, 2001

Perspex

122 x 111 x 24 cm

John Armleder

Theodore (FS), 2001

Acetate, tinsel, wire

Dims. variable Overall ca. 180 x 180 cm (71 x 71 in.)

John Armleder

Beta Zeta, 2003

Acrylic mirror

ø 45 cm ø 17 3/4 in.

John Armleder

Voltes II, 2003

Coloured neon

Dims. variable

John Armleder

Strand (RL), FS, 2008

Acrylic on canvas Valet muet de Raymond Loewy

107 x 250 x 54 cm 42 x 98 1/2 x 21 1/4 in.

John Armleder

Frankenstein (FS), 2008

Acrylic on canvas and Van Halen "Frankenstein" Fender guitar

Paintings: 220 x 181 cm (86 3/5 x 71 1/4 in.) Overall: 220 x 420 cm (86 3/5 x 164 1/5 in.)

John Armleder

Pomona, 2011

Glass with silver and gold

255.5 x 60 cm 100 1/2 x 23 2/3 in.

John Armleder

Puzzle (FS 219), 1988-2012

Wool carpet

320 x 220 cm 126 x 86 3/5 in.

John Armleder

Anticipation (FS), 2013

Pensa Custom electric guitar, rock crystal and glass

107.5 x 111 x 52 cm 42 3/8 x 43 3/4 x 20 1/2 in.

John Armleder

Siderite, 2003

Acrylic and gold paint on unprimed canvas

300 x 190 cm

John Armleder

Entoloma Sinuatum, 2006

Mixed media on canvas

300 x 200 cm 118 x 78 3/4 in.

John Armleder

Inocybe Patouillardi, 2006

Mixed media on canvas

200 x 200 cm

John Armleder

La ora i te forerei, 2001

Folded silk

150 x 190 cm 59 x 74 4/5 in.

John Armleder

Tautira mutu e, 2006

Acrylic on canvas

200 x 200 cm 78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in.

John Armleder

Amphibolite, 2008

Acrylic on canvas

300 x 200 cm

John Armleder

Antimoine, 2008

Acrylic on canvas

100 x 100 cm

John Armleder

Argent, 2008

Acrylic on canvas

170 x 130 cm 66 9/10 x 51 1/5 in.

John Armleder

Basalte, 2008

Acrylic on canvas

170 x 130 cm

John Armleder

Bismuth, 2008

Acrylic on canvas

250 x 200 cm

John Armleder

Yankee Trader, 2006

Acrylic on canvas with plastic chains

200 x 200 cm 78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in.

John Armleder

Clematis campaniflora, 2008

Mixed media on canvas

170 x 130 cm 66 9/10 x 51 1/5 in.

John Armleder

Dianthus plumarius, 2008

Mixed media on canvas

240 x 180 cm 94 1/2 x 70 4/5 in.

John Armleder

Clinopyroxène, 2008

Acrylic on canvas

200 x 250 cm 78 3/4 x 98 2/5 in.

John Armleder

Diamant, 2008

Acrylic on canvas

200 x 100 cm

John Armleder

SRS, 2011

Acrylic on canvas with chromed anti-pigeon fence

180 x 155.5 cm 71 x 61 1/4 in.

John Armleder

The Enigma of an Autumn Afternoon, 2011

Acrylic on canvas

250 x 200 cm 98 1/2 x 78 3/4 in.

John Armleder

The Soothsayer's Recompense (La récompense du Devin), 2012

Acrylic on canvas

100 x 100 cm 39 1/2 x 39 1/2 in.

John Armleder

Grevasalvas, 2012

Mixed media on canvas

275 x 275 cm 108 1/4 x 108 1/4 in.

John Armleder

Languard, 2012

Mixed media on canvas

190 x 145 cm 74 4/5 x 57 in.

John Armleder

Globularia cordifolia, 2013

Mixed media on canvas

100 x 100 cm

John Armleder

Mitra Papalis, 2014

Mixed media on canvas (diptych)

Left Panel: 280 x 250 cm (110 1/4 x 98 3/8 in.) Right Panel: 280 x 100 cm (110 1/4 x 39 3/8 in.) Overall: 280 x 350 cm (110 1/4 x 137 3/4 in.)

John Armleder

Lotta di gladiatori - The Best, 2014

Acrylic on canvas

139.5 x 125 cm 55 x 49 1/4 in.

John Armleder

All Night Party (FS), 2003

52 Mylar Christmas Trees

Dims. variable

John Armleder

Crime (FS), 2003

Gesso on canvas, Mylar, 3 low seats by Urquiola

300 x 700 x 145 cm 118 1/8 x 275 5/8 x 57 1/8 in.

John Armleder

Blue John (Fluorine), FS, 2003

Acrylic on canvas, sofa by James Mont

Canvas: 240 x 160 cm (94 1/2 x 63 in.) Sofa: 71 x 241.5 x 84 cm (28 x 95 x 33 in.)

John Armleder

Diatom, 2005

Acrylic mirror and wood

Dimensions variable

John Armleder

Foraminifera (FS), 1994

Rubber, earth and flowers

H: 37 cm ø 140 cm H: 14 1/2 in. ø 55 in.

John Armleder

Ascomycetes, 2005

Aluminium, plexiglass, wood, flowers, plastic flowers and trees, monitors, DVD, ghetto blasters, CD's and fluorescent lights

Dimensions variable

John Armleder

Voltes III, 2004

White Neon

350 x 800 cm 137 4/5 x 315 in.

John Armleder

E hoi e, 2001

Neon

150 cm diam. 59 in. diam.

John Armleder

AH (Ara Arrac TT), FS, 2006

Two painted canvases, one Häberli settee and two Häberli lamps

Canvases overall: 3 x 4 m Lamps: H 185 cm Settee: 75.5 x 140 x 68 cm

John Armleder

AH (Enil Aekat), FS, 2006

Silver paint on canvas and Häberli chair

canvas: 221 x 221 cm chair: 110 x 72 x 90 cm

John Armleder

Ciliata (FS), 1994

Rubber, earth and flowers

H: 37 cm ø 140 cm H: 14 1/2 in. ø 55 in.

John Armleder

Sunny side up (KG), FS, 2008

Acrylic on canvas and wood recliner (Klaus Grabe)

Canvas: 260 x 160 cm (102 1/3 x 63 in.) Recliner: 70 x 160 x 54.5 cm (27 1/2 x 63 x 21 3/4 in.)

John Armleder

Loasaceae double, 2002

Polished silver and glass

each 13.5 x 11 x 10 cm each 5 1/3 x 4 1/3 x 4 in.

John Armleder

Kamut, 2011

Glass

93 x 154 x 10 cm 36 2/3 x 60 2/3 x 4 in.

John Armleder

Silvano, 2008

Glass

37.5 x 50 x 41 cm 14 3/4 x 19 2/3 x 16 in.

John Armleder

Illico, 2011

Gilded silver

7 x 23 x 27 cm 2 3/4 x 9 x 10 1/2 in.

John Armleder

Untitled (FS 228), 1989-2012

2 crystal chandeliers, 12 blankets, metallic hangers

170 x 220 x 50 cm

John Armleder

Glocus, 2012

Acrylic mirror on wood

116 x 250.5 cm 45 1/2 x 98 1/2 in.

John Armleder

Untitled (FS), 1986

Acrylic on canvas and curved wood

Overall installation: 156 x 133 x 11 cm Curved wood: 156 x 11 x 11 cm Canvas: 50 x 30.5 cm

John Armleder

Quarante Cercles (FS 218), 1988-2012

Wool carpet

350 x 240 cm 137 4/5 x 94 1/2 in.

John Armleder

Powder II, 2003

Mirror mounted on wood

29 x 59 cm 11 1/2 x 23 1/4 in.