Peter Fischli David Weiss

May 2013—December 2014

Fascinated with unconventional subject matter and material, Swiss artists Peter Fischli (b. 1952) and David Weiss (b. 1946, d. 2012) cheekily toyed with the idea of “high art,” questioning popular narratives and movements in art and cultural history. Peter Fischli David Weiss presented an in-depth survey of the duo’s work from 1979 through 2012. More than two dozen works were on view, including the artists’ most ambitious polyurethane installation to date, The Objects for Glenstone, 2011.

Exhibition Preview

    • Studio Dog
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Studio Dog, 2011–2012
      Fischli 2011
      Studio Dog, 2011–2012
      hand-carved and painted polyurethane
      still life from a group of hand-carved and painted polyurethane objects
      33 x 39 ½ x 27 ¼ inches (84 x 100 x 69 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_StudioDog-601x800.jpg
    • The Objects for Glenstone
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      The Objects for Glenstone, 2010–2011
      Fischli 2010
      The Objects for Glenstone, 2010–2011
      hand-carved and painted polyurethane
      from ¼ x 1 ½ inches to 62 ½ x 18 x 62 ½ inches (1 x 4 x 1 cm to 159 x 47 x 159 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_ObjectsGlenstone-1064x800.jpg
    • Shifted Volumes
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Shifted Volumes, 2009
      Fischli 2009
      Shifted Volumes, 2009
      reinforced clay
      10 ½ x 18 ¼ x 7 inches (27 x 46 x 18 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_ShiftedVolumes-1065x800.jpg
    • Plumbing Part
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Plumbing Part, 2009
      Fischli 2009
      Plumbing Part, 2009
      reinforced clay
      2 ¼ x 12 ¾ x 8 inches (6 x 32 x 20 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_PlumbingPart-1064x800.jpg
    • Big Corner
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Big Corner, 2009
      Fischli 2009
      Big Corner, 2009
      reinforced clay
      13 ¼ x 13 x 13 ⅛ inches (34 x 33 x 33 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_BigCorner-1064x800.jpg
    • Rat and Bear (Flying)
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Rat and Bear (Flying), 2008–2009
      Fischli 2008
      Rat and Bear (Flying), 2008–2009
      cotton, wire, and steel
      suspended versions of costumes worn by the artists in a series of films begun in 1980
      each 55 x 17 ¾ inches (140 x 45 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_RatBear.jpg
    • Kanalarbeiten (Sewer Workers)
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Kanalarbeiten (Sewer Workers), 2005
      Fischli 2005
      Kanalarbeiten (Sewer Workers), 2005
      black rubber
      7 x 18 ½ x 10 ⅜ inches (18 x 47 x 26 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_SewerWorkers-1064x800.jpg
    • Big Root
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Big Root, 2005
      Fischli 2005
      Big Root, 2005
      black rubber
      43 x 61 x 51 inches (109 x 155 x 130 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_BigRoot-1021x800.jpg
    • Son et Lumière
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Son et Lumière, 1990
      Fischli 1990
      Son et Lumière, 1990
      Swiss Army-issued flashlight, turntable, plastic cup, adhesive tape
      projection of a kinetic object
      approximately 6 x 15 x 8 inches (15 x 38 x 20 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_SonLumiere.jpg
    • Car
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Car, 1988
      Fischli 1988
      Car, 1988
      plaster
      19 x 59 x 26 inches (48 x 150 x 66 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_Car_001-1064x800.jpg A close-up of a smooth white plaster car, with the basic shapes of a 1980s four-door sedan and no details.
    • Car
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Car, 1988
      Fischli 1988
      Car, 1988
      plaster
      20 x 54 3/4 x 23 1/2 inches (51 x 139 x 60 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_Car_002-1064x800.jpg A close-up of a smooth white plaster car, with the basic shape of a 1980s hatchback. The texture of the plaster is visible.
    • Hostesses
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Hostesses, 1988
      Fischli 1988
      Hostesses, 1988
      plaster
      22 ½ x 19 ¼ x 28 ¾ inches (57 x 49 x 73 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_Hostesses.jpg
    • Schallplatte (Record)
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Schallplatte (Record), 1988
      Fischli 1988
      Schallplatte (Record), 1988
      beracryl
      ⅛ x 12 x 12 inches (.32 x 30 x 30 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_Record-1065x800.jpg
    • Views of Airports
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Views of Airports, 1987–2012
      Fischli 1987
      Views of Airports, 1987–2012
      digital slide projection, media drive
      collection of 469 images of airports originating from 35 mm slides
      Views of Airports has been shown as both cibachrome photographs and as a digital slide projection
      dimensions variable
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_AirportsMI.jpg
    • Small cupboard
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Small cupboard, 1987
      Fischli 1987
      Small cupboard, 1987
      black rubber
      21 ½ x 25 ½ x 13 ¼ inches (55 x 65 x 34 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_SmallCupboard-1064x800.jpg
    • Mann intim (A man’s world)
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Mann intim (A man’s world), 1987
      Fischli 1987
      Mann intim (A man’s world), 1987
      cast rubber
      6 x 12 ½ x 6 inches (15 x 32 x 15 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_MansWorld-1064x800.jpg
    • Moroccan Cushion
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Moroccan Cushion, 1987
      Fischli 1987
      Moroccan Cushion, 1987
      cast rubber
      12 x 21 x 21 inches (30 x 53 x 53 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_MoroccanCushion-1064x800.jpg
    • Visible World
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Visible World, 1986–2001
      Fischli 1986
      Visible World, 1986–2001
      light tables with small format photographs
      15 light tables depicting a selection of 3,000 photographs archived from various travels the artists began in 1986
      Visible World has been exhibited as a video and on light tables
      1,104 x 27 ¼ x 32 ½ inches (2,804 x 69 x 90 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_VisibleWorld-1064x800.jpg
    • Animal
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Animal, 1986
      Fischli 1986
      Animal, 1986
      hand-carved and painted polyurethane, cloth object from a series of 16 Grey Sculptures
      20 x 18 ½ x 33 inches (51 x 47 x 83 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_Animal-1064x800.jpg
    • Equilibres (A Quiet Afternoon)
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Equilibres (A Quiet Afternoon), 1984–1986
      Fischli 1984
      Equilibres (A Quiet Afternoon), 1984–1986
      series of 45 photographs (in color, black-and-white, landscape, and portrait views) first shown in 1984/5. In 2006, the artists used original negatives to expand the series to this set of 82 photographs
      11 ⅞ x 8 inches (30 x 20 cm) each
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_Equilibres-1-1064x800.jpg Nineteen framed photos hang on three different white walls, with a white ceiling and wooden floor.
    • Suddenly This Overview
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Suddenly This Overview, 1981
      Fischli 1981
      Suddenly This Overview, 1981
      unfired clay
      selection of 56 objects from a series of more than 350 unfired clay sculptures presented on pedestals or mounted on the wall
      ranging from 1 ⅜ x 3 ⅛ x 3 ¼ inches to 6 x 20 x 5 ¾ inches
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: overview, Ron Amstutz; details, Jason Klimatsas
      overview, Ron Amstutz; details, Jason Klimatsas
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_SuddenlyThis-1-1064x800.jpg
    • Questions
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Questions, 1981-2002
      Fischli 1981
      Questions, 1981-2002
      slides, projectors, dissolve units, painted polyurethane
      dimensions variable
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Photo: Ron Amstutz
       Ron Amstutz
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FISCw_GF_Questions-1045x800.jpg
    • Sausage Series
      Peter Fischli David Weiss
      Sausage Series, 1979
      Fischli 1979
      Sausage Series, 1979
      suite of ten (10) C-prints
      each 19 ⅞ x 29 ½ inches (50 x 75 cm)
      © Peter Fischli and David Weiss, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery
      Peter Fischli David Weiss https://www.glenstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FISCw_sau_GLEN_007.jpg Five sausages have deli meat capes, bottle cap hats, and beady facial features. They sit on the ledge of a streaky mirror.

    Publications

    Peter Fischli David Weiss (2013)

    Foreword by Emily Wei Rales, Mitchell P. Rales. Text by Mark Godfrey, Boris Groys. Interview by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Brian O'Doherty.

    Peter Fischli (born 1952) and David Weiss (1946–2012) collaborate to transform the stuff of ordinary life into a series of quizzical, whimsical, even disquieting encounters. Fascinated with unconventional subject matter and material, Fischli and Weiss toy with the idea of "high art," questioning popular narratives and movements in art and cultural history. Peter Fischli David Weiss presents an in-depth survey of the artists’ work from 1979 through 2012, drawn exclusively from Glenstone’s collection. The volume includes rubber and clay sculptures; photographic series including Equilibres (A Quiet Afternoon), 1984–1986, and Sausage Series, 1979; digital slides such as Views of Airports, 1987–2012, and Flowers and Mushrooms, 1997–2006; stills from their acclaimed video The Way Things Go, 1988; and the most recent iteration of their alter egos, Rat and Bear (Flying), 2008–2009. Also reproduced is the artists’ most ambitious polyurethane installation, The Objects for Glenstone, 2010–2011, and Questions, 1981–2002, a slide installation of over 400 handwritten existential queries such as "Is the Devil a cheerful person?" and "Will happiness find me?" which won the Golden Lion Prize at the 2003 Venice Biennale.

    Publisher: Glenstone Museum
    ISBN:  9780980108637
    Publication date: 2013
    Page count: 256

    $65.00

    Purchase Catalog
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