Daniel Knorr´s snowman of metal, stones and plastic warns of meltdown

"Bonhomme" by Daniel Knorr, Art on Lake Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011)

A “snowman” made of stones, metal, concrete, a plastic palm branch and a plastic carrot for a nose stands proudly in City Lake Park, Budapest.

Berlin-based Daniel Knorr´s “Bonhomme” waves the palm of peace while reminding us—in the middle of summer at Art on Lake´s contemporary sculpture show—that the planet´s melting.

It emerged from half-meter deep waters along with 24 other contemporary sculptures installed for Europe´s unique Art on Lake marine show, which opened on 22 May and closes 4 September in central Budapest at Heroes’ Square.

In 2009, Knorr (b. Bucharest 1968) first unveiled “Bonhomme” at Kunsthalle Basel, along with four other projects, a solo show.

"Bonhomme" by Daniel Knorr Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011)

Art on Lake in Budapest Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011)

A master at re-conceptualizing everyday found objects, like shards of glass, Knorr´s stoned snowman is one of his more tangible works.

As a critique on consumerism, Knorr made a live installation, The Naked Corner, where almost nude models posed in a shop window with well known company slogans written on their bodies, only viewable from the street.

“As in all his works, here too he displays an artistic attitude which, despite institutional pressures for legitimating, can never lose its dissident character, and in fact is capable of exerting an overall influence on society,” Art on Lake curators wrote for the show´s organizer, the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest.

In the recently released Art on Lake Catalogue, curators for Art on Lake--Krisztina Jerger, Dr. Alexander Tolnay and Peter Fitz-- in their catalogue released this month, wrote: “Knorr points out the damagers of climate change using irony, and as in all his artistic activity, he is still concentrating on the partnership between the world, society and art.”

For Knorr, the concept drives the materials, whether an art intervention or permanent installation.

Knorr’s practice includes performance, installation, photography, text, found and archival material, drawing and sculpture.

Performance artists at Art on Lake Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011)

Art on Lake, City Lake Park, Budapest Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011)

Rock on and practice peace and love.

Stefan, the ArtTraveler ™

ArtTraveler notes:

After living at the Hotel Queen Mary in Budapest (3.5 stars), I heartily recommend it: old on the outside, otherwise totally modern (23 rooms); 

The owner and staff are affable and speak English and German. Tel: 0036-1-413-3510; www.hotelqueenmary.hu; info@hotelqueenmary.hu.

Visit Andalusia for a walking holiday or week-long sculpture or mosaics workshop. 

See: www.spanjeanders.nl and www.competafinearts.com.

"Spanish Life Stilled," photograph by Stefan van Drake (2009)

You may reach me at stefanvandrake@gmail.com or by calling (34) 915 067 703 or from the UK at BT landline rates, 0844 774 8349.