Wangechi Mutu: My Dirty Little Heaven / Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin

Wangechi Mutu’s installation “My Dirty Little Heaven” is the first exhibition in Deutsche Bank’s new “Artist of the Year” program. The artist, who was born in Kenya in 1972 and currently lives in New York, was selected on the recommendation of the Deutsche Bank Global Art Advisory Council, comprised of the curators Okwui Enwezor, Hou Hanru, Udo Kittelmann, and Nancy Spector.

For her solo exhibition, Wangechi Mutu transformed the Deutsche Guggenheim into a suggestive environment which recalls both a protective cocoon and the improvised buildings found in Shanty Towns. She built organic-looking sculptural constructions from simple means such as gray, felt-like blankets made of recycled materials or brown parcel tape. The creations cover walls and floors of the exhibition hall and at the same time provide the frame- work and background for Mutu’s collages and her new video work “Mud Fountain.”

On the occasion of the opening reception of Wangechi Mutu’s solo show at the Deutsche Guggenheim, VernissageTV spoke with Friedhelm Hütte, Global Head Deutsche Bank Art, and Wangechi Mutu’s gallerist Susanne Vielmetter of Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects. Friedhelm Hütte talks about the concept of Deutsche Bank’s new “Artist of the Year” program, Susanne Vielmetter provides us with an introduction to Wangechi Mutu’s work.

Wangechi Mutu: My Dirty Little Heaven / Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin. Opening reception, April 29, 2010.

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