Roman Signer’s productive artistry is characterized by curiosity, inventiveness and playfulness. Concepts such as time, movement and gravity are crucial elements in the creation of the dynamic sculptures that he calls Zeitskulpturen, time sculptures. The time sculptures often only last a few seconds and investigate how physical matter is affected by the laws of gravity, natural forces and motor power. Classic basic elements such as fire, wind and water are combined with easily recognizable everyday objects – umbrellas, kayaks, tables, boots and barrels – and work together in seconds-quick processes. Many of the objects reappear in several works. Signer uses tension and surprise when he exposes the objects to various processes – pyrotechnics, kinetic energy and aerodynamics. In Signer’s work, the audience can observe and explore the relationship between order and chaos, between stillness and a sudden release of energy. The witty humor that characterizes the artistry arises in the contexts, in the framing and in the unexpected development potential that Signer exposes the objects to.
Signer mainly works with sculpture, photography and video. The exhibition at Malmö Konsthall is Roman Signer’s first major solo exhibition in Sweden. The exhibition presents works from his entire career, from the 1970s until today, together with two new works produced specifically for Malmö Konsthall’s exhibition. In total, about twenty sculptural works are shown together with about seventy filmed documentations of his sculptural processes. As a tribute to Signer’s participation in outdoor sculpture exhibitions, such as Documenta 8 in Kassel and Skulptur Projekte Münster, four of the artist’s works are also installed in Pildammsparken as part of the exhibition. The selection has been made in close dialogue with the artist and is based on the works’ connection to the weather and the properties of water.
