galerie lange + pult is pleased to announce the first exhibition of german artist Gerold Miller in its Geneva space, that will open on Thursday the 16th of January from 6pm. For this exhibition, the artist presents new works from two emblematic series of his practice: “Set” and “Total Object”. These two bodies of work illustrate Miller’s ongoing exploration of the relationship between object and space, movement and perception, inviting the viewer into an immersive and ever-evolving experience.
Gerold Miller’s work navigates the intersections of perception, space, and light, often through minimal yet immersive sculptural installations. Rooted in the principles of conceptual art and geometric abstraction, Miller’s approach invites a subtle rethinking of the viewer’s relationship to the environment. His installations often incorporate reflective surfaces, precise geometric forms, and thoughtful material choices, each contributing to an evolving dialogue between the artwork, its surroundings, and the observer.
The viewer’s experience is shaped by the ever-shifting interaction between light, perspective, and space. As the work changes depending on the angle from which it is viewed, Miller creates a kind of fluidity, allowing the piece to exist in a constant state of transformation. This nuanced interplay of elements subtly alters the way we perceive the environment, encouraging us to reconsider not only how we experience space but also how we engage with the objects within it. Each installation becomes an invitation to explore the boundaries of perception, revealing the quiet complexities inherent in the spaces we inhabit.
The works in the show, made of high-quality lacquer and metal, are limited to black and a few contrasting colors. They represent the consistency with which Gerold Miller formulates a radically reduced concept of pictoriality, approaching the image from the greatest possible distance so that new images emerge from the systematic reduction of creative means.
In his “Set” series, Miller further pushes the boundaries of perception by using minimal yet highly structured forms, arranged in a way that encourages the viewer to navigate the space around them. The reflective surfaces in these works intensify the relationship between the viewer and the surrounding environment, offering multiple perspectives as the light interacts with the geometric elements. The series becomes a visual exploration of how slight changes in angle or movement can reveal new layers of meaning, suggesting that perception is always in flux.
The basic structure of the “Total Object” is the square, which is rounded at the corners. and is taken up again in the the object in the form of a recess or as a slightly lighter colored circle. The recess is not only central in the literal sense, but also insofar as it allows a view of the wall, which as a result does not simply encompass the object but is itself framed by the work. The play with framing and being framed, but also with plasticity and surface, is expanded to include an additional level when Miller simulates a cast shadow by applying a narrower stripe to the colored surface. Without the recess the work deals with questions of imagery in the border area of sculpture, delimited wall surface and sculpturally-figuratively defined architecture. The object can be viewed as a three-dimensional image, which can be viewed as a painting and a sculpture. By showing a certain depth, as well as by the strong coloring of the lacquered surface, the contour of the work is emphasized whereby it stands out plastically from the background. At the same time, the smooth surface produces a mirror effect that creates a connection between the work and the surrounding architecture.
Through his exploration of the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and architecture, Gerold Miller invites viewers to reconsider their relationship with space and perception. By reducing forms to their essence and incorporating reflective surfaces and bold geometries, his works create a dynamic interplay between object and environment. This exhibition serves as both a testament to Miller’s innovative practice and an invitation to engage with his work.
Born in Germany in 1961, Gerold Miller lives and works between Berlin and Pistoia.
