A collaboration between Axel Bottenberg and Mike Chavez-Dawson, where both artists explore their shared fascination with Marcel Duchamp’s 'Fountain'. Here Bottenberg has re-purposed Chavez-Dawson's 'Fountain' replica as an actual urinal. The urinal is occupied by the iconic Manneken Pis, who represents the rebellious icons of Brussels, where Bottenberg spent his formative years.
- Dimensions: 10 x 11 x 10cm
- Price: £5400.00
A collaboration between Axel Bottenberg and Mike Chavez-Dawson, 'Fountain two Fountain' is a sculptural pastiche of Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain', re-purposed as a urinal for the iconic Mannekin Pis. The Mannekin Pis is a recurring figure in Bottenberg's works, a reflection of his formative years in Brussels, and a symbol of the rebellious icons of Belgium. The title is a tongue-in-cheek comment of the two fountains facing each other, as well as this piece being the second version of their collaboration. Signed by Chavez-Dawson as a kitsch nod to Duchamp, this piece is charged with humour and irony. The art historical reference reflects Bottenberg's heavy interest and awareness of art history, paired with low art iconography to create an entertaining and startling composition, which is accessible to a wide audience. By pairing low art iconography and found objects with high art references, Bottenberg has produced an entertaining sculpture which demands a second look. “It’s repurposing the repurposed readymade into something that it was originally made for” Although this piece is undoubtedly kitsch, it has been carefully engineered by Bottenberg with an astounding attention to detail. Making and building objects is an important aspect of Bottenberg's practice - it satisfies an urge which can't be done by painting alone, and is a way for him to establish a distinctive style within his oeuvre which blurs the lines of painting and sculpture. Bottenberg's works are charged with irony and social commentary, perhaps a reflection of his time studying alongside the YBAs (Young British Artists) at the Royal College of Art in the 1980s. Bottenberg's obsession with art history and pop culture ensure his works are humorous, familiar and accessible to a wide audience, as opposed to only art world professionals. Any piece within Bottenberg's collection is a statement piece that is unapologetic and of vigour; a perfect addition for any contemporary art collection, business space, or home.
Axel Bottenberg is a mixed media artist who works to create bright, compelling compositions which blur the boundaries of painting and sculpture. Born in 1961 in Darmstadt, Germany, Bottenberg studied Fine Art and Printmaking at the Canterbury College of Fine Art, and later Printmaking at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. Bottenberg is now based at Bankley Studios in Levenshulme, Manchester, and is renowned for challenging the sphere of contemporary art through his practice. Bottenberg's oeuvre is imbued with entertaining pop culture and art historical references, and his works often reject art tradition through juxtaposing high and low art iconographies. Bottenberg is heavily inspired by 1960s Pop Art and its resurgence in the 1990s, which he portrays through his own eclectic lens and bold colour palette. Bottenberg's researched approach gives scope for sardonic appraisals within a varied, eccentric body of work. Any piece from Axel Bottenberg's oeuvre would be a valuable and compelling asset to any contemporary art collection, business space or home.
Other images of Fountain two Fountain by Axel Bottenberg