Liz Magor

In cooperation with the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst in Zurich, the Kunstverein in Hamburg presented the first German solo exhibition of the Canadian sculptor Liz Magor (*1949) in 2017. Magor is one of today’s most influential female artists in Canada, and her works play a central role in the contemporary debate on materialism. In her readymades and replicas, she instils an aura into ordinary objects and familiar areas of life. The viewer is confronted with the by-products and residues of society: moth-eaten fabrics and cigarette butts, beer cans and everyday household items. Her sculptures highlight the social sideshows in our performance-driven society and emphasise the fragility of a modern lifestyle based on success, wealth, fitness and productivity. The exhibition was the first to present Liz Magor’s extensive oeuvre to European audiences. With shows in Zurich and Hamburg, it focused on Magor’s sculptures and installative works. Supplemented by a multifaceted educational programme, the project emphasised the relevance of Magor’s works especially for the younger generation of artists.

Artistic director: Bettina Steinbrügge
Artist: Liz Magor (CA)