Lot 29 D

In order to understand the works by Konrad Klapheck, it is inevitable to study his exceptional point of view. His fascination for machines and objects of everyday life exceeded the purely formalistic and technical interest. First of all, he approached the subject of the picture in a very personal and individual way. Always shaped by his childhood, he selected everyday objects. These are familiar objects that do not symbolise man’s submission to technology, but rather establish intimacy to the viewer through the targeted use of alienating elements, thus facilitating a new approach to what is depicted. Supported by often narrative titles, these objects develop a personality. ‘One could speak of expressive machine-individuals, which the artist portrays unaffectedly to a certain extent, albeit with great sensuous pleasure in surfaces, curves, overlaps, and intersections.’ (Werner Schmalenbach, Objekte zwischen Fetisch und Libido in: Arturo Schwarz (ed.), Klapheck, Milan 2002, p.66) The sweeping red ribbon, which weaves through the keyholes almost like a dance, as well as the title ‘671’ raise questions. Although the background cannot really be deciphered, the dynamic element of the ribbon, combined with Klapheck’s typically enlarged depiction of a key board, leads to a rediscovery of this familiar everyday object.