William Beck - Gauche Obsessions, A Guide to Unknowing

About

WHEN:     Opening: Wednesday, July 26th, 6-9 pm

                     Duration: Thursday, July 27 - Saturday, July 29, 2-7 pm and by appointment

Workshop with the artist: Saturday, July 29th, 2-6 pm

WHERE:     SomoS Arts –  Kottbusser Damm 95, 1.0G, 10967, Berlin

In his thoughtful work, multidisciplinary artist, architect, and designer William Beck navigates the liminal terrain between knowledge and intuition, reframing our perception of objects and inviting us into a world of material exploration and layered ambivalence. As he states, Beck uses an intuitive, “gauche mode of production, opposed to architectural production predicated on custom, reference, and reason,” blurring the conventional divide between utility and abstraction. Beck will also be hosting a workshop open to the public based on his ideas and methods at the end of the exhibition. 

In a fascinating fusion of practice and theory, William Beck invites the audience on a philosophical journey that blurs the boundary between knowledge and intuition with his upcoming solo exhibition, "Gauche Obsessions," at SomoS. Set to open on Wednesday, July 26th, and running until July 29th, the show will be an intellectual and aesthetic feast, an invitation to explore the layered ambivalence of objects through Beck's innovative lens.

Beck, a visionary architect, designer, and multidisciplinary artist, beckons us to question our understanding of the world around us. He plays with our preconceived notions of 'utility' and 'abstraction,' weaving intricate narratives that challenge our habitual perception. Meticulously crafted in non-precious materials, his works teeter on the fine line between function and symbolism, inviting us to examine the value we assign to the everyday objects around us.

The heart of the exhibition lies in Beck's "gauche mode" of production. Drawing inspiration from Roland Barthes' interpretation of the 'gauche' or 'lefty,' Beck's creative process centers around intuition, exploration, and serendipity. His creations possess a unique identity of their own, moving beyond mere representations to become conduits of philosophical dialogue.

The exhibition offers an immersive encounter with Beck’s four conceptual leitmotifs or "obsessions." From gestural narratives that spark the viewer's imagination to playful obfuscations of functional objects and poetic enjambments creating perceptual paradoxes, each work in "Gauche Obsessions" paints a unique story. A recurring motif, "the figure and the frame," encapsulates the delicate balance between order and chaos, the known and the unknown, the structured and the serendipitous, in the act of creation.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Beck will conduct a unique workshop, "The Gauche Mode - Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Object-Making," on Saturday, July 29, from 2-6 pm. This hybrid artist's talk and hands-on workshop promises to be an exciting exploration of the innovative theories and practices that underpin his artistic process. Participants will delve into the creative realms that gave birth to Beck's ambivalent objects, exploring his four guiding "obsessions" and encountering the structured improvisation that is the hallmark of his creative process.

The workshop, held in English, welcomes participants of all backgrounds, from students to art enthusiasts and anyone in between. No prior art background is required. Materials for object-making, including sourced goods, clay, plaster, wood, paint, paper, cardboard, and rope, will be provided, with limited power tools available with assistance. Participants are also invited to bring any objects or materials they'd like to incorporate into their pieces.

Engaging, enlightening, and intellectually stimulating, "Gauche Obsessions" promises to be an exciting exhibition. The show and workshop are a call to break away from conventional perceptions, a celebration of the fluidity of objects, and a tribute to the serendipitous dance between structure and improvisation.

Register for the free workshop by emailing somos@somos-arts.org. Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of William Beck, where the abstract meets the concrete.