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The work of Stephen Craig (b. 1960) is situated in an intermediate area between art and architecture, which he explores using the media of photography and object. After producing objects reminiscent of architectural models on a small scale for some time, he first presented a life-size pavilion at the documenta X (1997). This form-finding process is taken up again in Stephen Craig�s funfair-themed cycle of works, for which he has created a pavilion in the shape of a box office in the gallery space. Although seemingly a normal-scale building, it cannot be entered or used in any way: indeed, it reveals itself to be a piece of virtual architecture, thus acquiring a model-like quality that links it to his earlier objects made on a reduced scale.

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1. Ausstellungsansicht, Galerie Bob Gysin


2. Electric Chair, 2004, Acryl, Mixed Media, 190 x 66 x 92 cm


3. Bin-Building grey-orange, 2004, und Bin-Building yellow, 2004, lackiertes Holz, Glas, 49 x 42 x 45 cm


4. Geisterkasse, 2004, lackiertes Holz, Glas, 40 x 40 47.5 cm






Stephen Craig - Gewinn


Installation of works at Galerie Bob Gysin in Zurich, Switzerland, 12 March - 16 April 2005

The box office invites the viewer into the illusionistic world of funfair amusements with all its fascination. In addition, Stephen Craig has captured this colourful stage-set quality in accompanying photos where fragments of funfair stalls are related to the surrounding real architecture. This creates startling juxtapositions, with gaps forming between reality and appearance that offer glimpses of our desires. Stephen Craig achieves all this with gentle observation that is full of humour and poetry and creates its own special magic. Aside from the documenta X, Stephen Craig has participated in numerous exhibitions, for example at the Museum Fridericianum in Kassel (2001) and in the �Skulptur Projekte in M�nster 1997� show. He received the important Adolf Luther Prize last year, which is accompanied by a retrospective at the Museum Haus Lange in Krefeld (until 3 November). Stephen Craig has been Professor of Visual Arts in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Karlsruhe since 2001.

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