David Zwirner's Hong Kong gallery put on a solo exhibition of Wolfgang Tillmans in The Point Is Matter from 25 March to 11 May, 2024.
From soft atmospheric moments, intimate still lifes and portraits to abstract studio videos. Spanning two floors, the photographer and artist presents his work as if in conversation with each other, meticulously planned to get the most out of the white-walled space. Tillmans’ universal perspective comes through in new and old works originating from his travels to Addis Ababa, Berlin, Lagos, and Mongolia, alongside those rooted in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, forging a link to local sensibilities.
"Hong Kong as a subject matter, is infinitely interesting, fascinating because it is such an international place with, obviously, Chinese culture and its own culture. I mean, I've felt moved here every time by the incredible energy, resilience, and joy," says Tillmans. The pivotal figure of contemporary art took our photographers on a tour of the Hong Kong show, look on through their eyes and in his words...
"This installation is the result of a long evolving conversation or thinking about this space. Yesterday I saw [another] photography exhibition, which was very traditional, which showed one photograph next to the other frame. And it just reminded me of 1992, when I developed my style of installation, I mean, it was a natural reaction. For me, I couldn't do anything else because why would I show everything in a line when I'm actually in the space? Since a young age, I have loved churches, I loved museums, I love the spatial experience of art. And that is the privilege that we have in these laboratories," says Tillmans during the tour.
"This is not like a time-lapse. This is how fast the Earth rotates. And then the moon slips through the view of the camera and all the videos are set to songs that are part of an album that will be released next month. The piece is set to pictures that are filmed during the printing process of my book, abstract pictures in a giant printing press for colour offset printing press, and I like to go to the press to see the exact colours of the printing. And then, of course, when the run goes to the machine, you have nothing to do, and I just love the sound of the machines, just peeking through all the holes and different ways of where the ink is replenished on top. What was being printed were my abstract pictures. The subject matter was so well suited to this abstract composition. The whole thing with this kind of work is paint in liquid ink."
"These works in these spaces relate to my thinking about the world that surrounds me. Even though my thoughts are so often occupied with the past and the future, with thoughts, concepts, spirituality, and emotions, all of that is ultimately round and around matter. The very how things feel and how things work. And some could say what is he talking about? The most basic truism, everything matters. But I hope some people can sense this sense of being in the now, being respectful of your environment, trying to understand things. Also being constantly open to look at things from different perspectives and be open to change." says Tillmans.
All images were taken by Jennifer Tang and Shek Po Kwan.
The Point Is Matter
Wolfgang Tillmans Solo Exhibition
March 25–May 11, 2024
David Zwirner Hong Kong
5–6/F, H Queen’s,
80 Queen’s Road Central
Find out more at David Zwirner.