Left: Yellow Sculpture 1969/79 Right: Red Disk with Four Ribbons 1963
Franz Erhard Walther is a German artist and sculptor who is known above all for his innovative approaches in the field of conceptual art and performance art. His works challenge traditional ideas by allowing people to participate in the creative process.
Exhibition view "Bilder im Kopf, Körper im Raum"
In the 1960s, fueled by a strong interest in interactivity and the physical participation of the audience, Walther began to integrate fabrics into his art. This led to one of his most important groups of works, the so-called “Werksätze”, which consist of textile elements that can be used and altered by the viewers. By actively involving them, the traditional concept of art is called into question and the boundary between artist, artwork and viewer is blurred. It also emphasizes the process and the action as essential components of art, since Walther does not regard his works as self-contained objects, but as tools that only become complete through their use.
Left: Wall Formation (No. 73), 1985 Right: Exhibition view "Shifting Perspectives"
Another central theme in Walther‘s work is the exploration of space and time. He experiments with spatial perception and the interaction of the body with space. Apart from his textile installations, he also created numerous drawings and text works that document and expand on these conceptual considerations.
Raumabnahme Blau, 1997/98
Franz Erhard Walther has had a lasting impact on the contemporary art scene. The innovative concepts of participation and interactivity have expanded the idea of art and opened up new ways of receiving and understanding it. His works remain an impressive testimony to how art can change the perception and consciousness of the individual by directly involving them in the creative process.