Julian Stair and Simone ten Hompel

It’s no coincidence that a German silversmith and an English ceramist are jointly exhibiting in Germany. Simone ten Hompel and Julian Stair have shared a common interest in vessels for a long time. The metal and ceramic creations they have developed together will be on display for the first time at the Rosemarie Jäger gallery. Despite their different cultural backgrounds and artistic mediums, the two artists set out to explore the complexity inherent in a vessel and its functionality in the social environment concerned, as well as its ability to preserve memories and symbols, and to evoke emotions. But the exhibition in Hochheim is not just about showcasing. Simone ten Hompel and Julian Stair were looking for “a social venue disassociated from institutional conventions and the conventional reception of contemporary art” to spotlight their work, focusing on their creations’ utility, and thus enabling individual physical experiences. Both artists are convinced that the complexity of a culture that has been influenced by specific materials gets lost when an exhibition is limited to the static showcasing of objects. Visitors should also be given an opportunity to experience their haptics, too, so as to develop a new kind of appreciation and respect for them. This phenomenological commitment is important for understanding our world, the artists explain. Housed in a historical building typical of the region, Rosemarie Jäger’s gallery is an ideal venue for reappraising artistically crafted objects of daily use, comment Simone ten Hompel and Julian Stair. Visitors can look forward to an event featuring objects and vessels that are intended to be liberated from the “hegemony of the showcase”. The opening address will be given by Dr. Rüdiger Joppien from Hamburg.