Bert Theis

Overview

"I'm a builder of platforms. Usually I build platforms with white painted wood, the most known being probably the "Philosophical Platform" for Sculpture Projects in Münster, 1997. My platforms, (...) are social spaces, where all kinds of activities can freely happen." -Bert Theis

(b. 1952 in Luxembourg, died there in 2016, lived and worked in Milan)

Bert Theis was an artist and activist often circling around the themes of ecological policies, urbanisation and gentrification in his works. His international acclaim arose at the 1995 Venice Biennale, where he represented Luxembourg. Theis was mostly known for his large site-specific urban installations in densely populated areas based on public platforms and pavilions in parks. He has organized and directed two long-term projects - Isola Art Center and out-Office for Urban Transformation - around the conflict opposing the inhabitants of the Isola district, Milan City government and an American multinational company.

Biography

Although most of his works were created in situ, Bert Theis also participated in many international exhibitions and events, including solo shows Agglomérations at MAMCO, Geneva (2007), Plateformes et Aggregation at Erna Hecey Gallery, Brussels (2008) and most recently at Le Printemps de Septembre, Toulouse (2018), LUCA - Luxembourg Center for Architecture (2017) and Padiglione d'Arte Vivente, Torino, Italy (2015). He was part of numerous international group exhibitions, i.e. at MOCAK - Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (2016); CNAP et Galerie Fernand Léger, Yvry s/Seine (2015); Pavillon de l'Arsenal, Paris (2016, 2015); Vienna Secession, Austria (2014); MAXXI, Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo, Rom (2014); Castello di Rivoli, Torino, Italy (2013); MUDAM, Luxembourg (2012, 2006); the Venice Biennale (2011); The 10th Istanbul Biennial (2007), and Skulptur Projekte Münster (1997). Permanent installations can be found at Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge, Paris; Luicciana di Cantagallo, Italy; MNHA Musée National d'Histoire et d'Art du Luxembourg. In 2019, the MUDAM honored the work of Bert Theis with a restrospective exhibition entitled Building Philosophy - Cultivating Utopia.

Works