MIKE MEIRÉ “CONFLICTS AND HOLES”APRIL 13 – MAY 18, 2013BASEL

von Bartha Garage

VandalenaktPerformance, April 8th, 2013Mike Meiré and Katharina Louise Meyer Photography: Béla Pablo Janssen

the von Bartha Garage Mike Meiré is presenting predominantly works on paper. It is, however, the very play of contrasts between the well-known works on paper and the works that seem to be stepping out of line with the medium, the form or material used which elucidate Meiré’s central artistic objective.

Is he a painter? A sculptor? A performance artist? Mike Meiré, actually best known as a designer and art director, transcends any and all clichés with his enormous energy and enthusiasm for artistic production. His main interest is aimed at the ambivalence between structured cognitive intellect and libidinal organic chaos. He playfully incorporates the connected, sometimes completely contradictory ideas of beauty (order, chaos, grid; alternatively, baroque plenitude and pop), puts them into question and presents them to us in a direct, humorous, but also always clearly conceptualized

With his geometrically structured and intensely coloured

of Concrete Art. But traditions stay alive by changing within the range of a certain consistency. Thus his paper works (industrial lacquer on newspaper) may appear to be minimalistic constructivist compositions while they are actually following economic necessity. By painting on separated pages of newspapers according to a grid determined by the layout he confronts us with the economy of our time. Those who pay more get more space, be it for an advertisement or for an obituary notice.

When one just looks at Meiré’s paintings without trying to discern various references to famous artists or possible

sensitivity for material, colour and composition. Mike Meiré does not need to decide whether he is a painter, a graphic

forms, with various media and materials convinces in its multiplicity. “When everything becomes equal” – a quote which he cites often – describes his manner of working with well-know symbols and materials perfectly. It is the clash between high and low, between so-called beautiful / elegant and cheap/ugly that interests him. Whether in a bronze cast or in a collage made out of the pages of the yellow press newspaper “Bild” his is an artistic search for formalism in things purportedly dirty and for chaos in ostensible order.

MIKE MEIRÉ “CONFLICTS AND HOLES”APRIL 13 – MAY 18, 2013

VandalenaktPerformance, April 8th, 2013

Mike Meiré

VandalenaktPerformance, April 8th, 2013

VandalenaktPerformance, April 8th, 2013

VandalenaktPerformance, April 8th, 2013Film: Eva Pisana

Mike Meiré

In Revolt, 2013chlorine on denim240 × 180 cm

Mike Meiré

In Vain, 2013chlorine on denim240 × 180 cm

Mike Meiré

Wir bauen eine neue Stadt, 2013laquer-paint on newspaper152 × 105.5 cm

Mike Meiré

129 DEAD, 2012laquer-paint on newspaperà 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

129 DEAD, 2012laquer-paint on newspaper (21 parts)à 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Gesang der Jünglinge, 2011laquer-paint on newspaper (4 parts)à 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Like To Hate, Like To Love, Like To Dream, Like To Die,Like To Hope, Like To Work, Like To Think2012, laquer-paint on newspaper50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Poppen, 2008wooden plinth, paint, earth, mirror,

130 × 72 × 185 cm

Mike Meiré

Poppen, 2008Holz-Sockel, Farbe, Erde, Spiegel, Kartons, Plastik-Beutel130 × 72 × 185 cm

Delete, 2012laquer-paint on newspaper152 × 105.5 cm

Mike Meiré

The Process Of Thought, 2013laquer-paint on newspaperà 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

s/he, 2011Collage34 × 22 cm (o.R.)

s/he, 2011Collage34 × 22 cm (o.R.)

The Process Of Thought, 2013laquer-paint on newspaper (10 parts)à 50 × 35 cm

At The Bottom Of Nymphéas (Detail), 2012chlorine on denimca. 300 × 815 cm

At The Bottom Of Nymphéas (Detail), 2012chlorine on denimca. 300 × 815 cm

Mike Meiré

xxx

Mike Meiré

Suprematie, 2013Lackfarbe auf Zeitungspapier (10-tei-

Suprematie, 2013laquer-paint on newspaper (10 parts)à 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Suprematie, 2013laquer-paint on newspaperà 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Yes Or No, 2012laquer-paint on newspaper152 × 105.5 cm

Mike Meiré

Abstract Pleasures, 2013laquer-paint on newspaper (21 parts)à 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Abstract Pleasures, 2013laquer-paint on newspaperà 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Abstract Pleasures, 2013laquer-paint on newspaperà 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Abstract Pleasures, 2013laquer-paint on newspaperà 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

Abstract Pleasures, 2013laquer-paint on newspaperà 50 × 35 cm

Mike Meiré

SAVOY, 2013bronce inside wall10 cm, Ø 12 cmEd. 1/3 + 2 AP

Mike Meiré

Funhouse, 2012laquer-paint on newspaper57 × 40 cm

Mike Meiré

Girls Club, 2012laquer-paint on newspaper57 × 40 cm

Mike Meiré

s/he, 2011collage34 × 22 cm

Mike Meiré

Strippers, 2012laquer-paint on newspaper55 × 37.9 cm

Mike Meiré

Erd-Leib, 2009book, wood, work glove and sponges with dried earth from the Erd-Leib Performance

Mike Meiré

MIKE MEIRÉ “CONFLICTS AND HOLES”APRIL 13 – MAY 18, 2013BASEL

von Bartha Garage