“People seem to fear art. Art has always been a word for this thing that can’t be rationalized; when you see or hear something that you struggle to explain. But that’s its strength, of course, that’s what the word ‘art’ is for.”
– Urs Fischer
New York-based, Swiss-born artist Urs Fischer is widely regarded as one of the leading forces of the contemporary art movement. His work often presents a collision; a carefully orchestrated, often humor-infused, dance between everyday objects and their relationships to human experience.
Fischer has a knack for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. In his own words, “anything can be used to create art — your mind, your hand, your elbow or toe.” This unrepressed perspective is his foundation for engaging, imaginative, and timeless works. A Duchampion take on representationalism, Fischer’s oeuvre is disruptive at its core, often provoking ambiguous dialogue among his audience.
Fischer has been exhibited vastly across the globe, with leading galleries including Gagosian, New York; Pace Gallery, New York; Sadie Coles HQ, London; Massimo de Carlo, Milan; The Modern Institute, Glasgow; Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin; and Jeffrey Deitch, New York, and Los Angeles.
Solo exhibitions at major museums include Museum of Modern Art, New York; Palazzo Grassi, Venice; Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Garage Museum, Moscow; Fondation Vincent Van Gogh, Arles; Legion of Honor, San Francisco; and Aïshti Foundation, Beirut.
Fisher has also caught the attention of private collectors who are eager to pay top dollar for his work. His work has sold for impressive amounts at renowned auction houses such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Notable sales include Untitled (Lamp/Bear) sold at Christie’s New York ‘Post-War and Contemporary Evening Sale’ in 2011 for $6,802,500.
A sculpturist, photographer, painter, and digital artist, Urs Fischer is well versed in an array of mediums, never shying away from the unfamiliar. It’s no surprise that the latest in technology would play an influential role in his ever-evolving creative process.
Coming to MakersPlace this week is the exciting continuation of Fischer’s genesis NFT project, CHAOS, a series consisting of 1,000 everyday objects, paired together to form 500 unique creations. Concluding the collection, #501 is a cataclysmic explosion of Fischer’s conceptual work.
Fischer pairs seemingly unrelated objects — like an ancient Peruvian Shipibo Pot and a Budweiser can — and renders them into 3D motion digital sculptures. Though colliding seamlessly, the objects are juxtapositions. The pairings emphasize differences, reveal likenesses, and invite the viewer to investigate the unlikely relationship in greater depth.
Despite limitless interpretation, Fischer’s pairings are not coincidental. An exploration of human nature, the artworks highlight the interplay between manufactured objects and their deeper connection to humanity – some obvious, some humorous, and some painstakingly contemplative. In CHAOS, Fischer gives these objects a platform to tell their story, forcing viewers to observe the interconnectedness of life.
The CHAOS series has garnered attention and support from all corners of the art world. Renowned gallery spaces like Gagosian and Pace Gallery, innovative auction app Fair Warning, former Christie’s co-chairman Loic Gouzer, and premiere NFT platform MakersPlace, converging under Fischer’s vision of evolving art and objects.
Next in the CHAOS Series
For the next release of the CHAOS series, Fischer is revealing “#168 Makeup,” “#170 Oracle,” “#181 State,” “#182 Amygdala,” and “#183 Mimes” in addition to a special charity piece, “CHAOS #96 JR.”
In “CHAOS #96 JR,” a pair of sunglasses and a black hat represent the signature look of a world-famous artist, JR. His work blends art and act, depicting freedom and identity, and capturing people all over the world.
JR is partnering with Fischer to raise money for his charity, Can Art Change the World? By donating their proceeds from CHAOS #96 JR, MakersPlace and Fischer are helping bring social awareness and social change to help enhance communities through the power of art.
Fischer is releasing five new art pieces in total plus “CHAOS #96 JR.” All of the pieces are unique 1/1 editions that will be sold by English auction. The auction group includes:
- CHAOS #168 Makeup
- CHAOS #181 State
- CHAOS #182 Amygdala
- CHAOS #183 Mimes
- CHAOS #170 Oracle
- CHAOS #96 JR
