Artist Talk with Fabian Reimann

11.09.2012

Within the context of Deutsche Börse Residency Program

Fabian Reimann (*1975 in Bremerhaven) first studied German Literature in Bremen and then Design, Book Design and Visual Arts in Leipzig, ultimately combining both of his focal areas of work and research by studying Textual Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. His artistic practice mirrors that of an interdisciplinary research process. He usually studies historical material, such as the Cold War, a department store in Leipzig, or the first atomic testing areas, and he then applies the multi-layered results of his investigations in his artwork.

In his project “Das geteilte Wissen” (Divided Knowledge) Fabian Reimann creates a link to his hometown of Leipzig, as a place he only visits briefly during his residency. The fact that there is a national library in both cities, he sees as a legacy of the Cold War and a remainder of divided Germany, which to this day maintains its printed knowledge in two parallel libraries.

The place where he did his research, the Frankfurt National Library, thus became the object of investigation, about which Reimann examined documentary materials and conducted interviews, while delving into the history of both book centers. His research has been gathered in the form of a visual essay, film, and narrative installation.