Oscilloscope in the museum: art that reacts to visitors!

Oscilloscope in the museum: art that reacts to visitors!

The art scene in North Rhine-Westphalia can look forward to a new highlight: The Kurhaus Kleve Museum has acquired the impressive sculpture “Oscilloscope” by the artist Franka Hörnschemeyer. This two and a half by three meter aluminum sculpture not only represents Hörnschemeyer's extraordinary artistic vision, but also offers a distinctive interaction between the work of art, viewer and space. According to a report by RP Online, the sculpture is known for its movement and soft creaking that seems to reflect the presence of visitors.

Hörnschemeyer, born in Osnabrück in 1958 and now based in Berlin, has made a name for herself with her works that address the relationship between people and space and the dimension of time. Her works explore the materiality of space and often use industrially manufactured materials. Particularly eye-catching are pieces such as “Conjecture 722”, which was on display in the anniversary exhibition “Treasure House and Laboratory” in the Museum Kurhaus Kleve, an exhibition that was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, supplemented by local sponsors.

Movement and sound

The “Oscilloscope” is a prime example of Hörnschemeyer’s work. The movable aluminum honeycomb composite panels, operated by a motorized mechanism, add a living element to the sculpture. At the same time, the background noise, an irregular clacking, puts the viewer's perception to the test. The sculpture can have different effects in different rooms of the museum, which further intensifies the interaction between art and viewer. The MKK website also describes these details.

The life and work of the artist

Franka Hörnschemeyer has been a professor at the Düsseldorf Art Academy since 2015. Her impressive works can be found not only in the Kurhaus Kleve Museum, but also in well-known collections such as the Dresden Sculpture Collection and the Paul Löbe House of the German Bundestag. The theme, which is linked to the inseparable interweaving of space and time, runs through her entire work.

According to the latest insights from an interview, the pandemic has not had a major impact on Hörnschemeyer's artistic activity; rather, it has sharpened his view of interpersonal relationships and their scope for new perspectives. The retreat into private space has created space for reflection, which is also evident in her more recent works.

With the acquisition of the “Oscilloscope”, the Kurhaus Kleve Museum has not only achieved an aesthetic gain, but has also taken another important step towards promoting contemporary art in the region. The sculpture is more than just a work of art - it is a dialogue between people and space that invites you to linger and think.

A visit to this impressive work in Kleve is therefore not only a pleasure for the eyes, but also an invitation to examine one's own perception and contemporary art. Whether in the museum or in the studio – Franka Hörnschemeyer’s artistic work remains exciting and creative.