<Bound>

MARTIN EFFERT, Steinbruch, 80×160.2 cm, 2007
Supported by Fonds BKVB
Courtesy of Ron Mandos Gallery Amsterdam and the artists

Martin Effert was born in Germany in 1965. He graduated in 1995 from the Academie Beeldende Kunsten in Maastricht and currently lives and works in Amsterdam.

Bound by History

For BOUND Martin Effert was commissioned to produce a series of works relating to concentration and work camps during the Second World War. About his work Bound by History he explaines: “The Nazi horrors happened not so long ago. Having German roots myself I always felt ashamed about its past. Going to school in the 80’ the third Reich was discussed thoroughly. Usually Nazi crimes would be brought up, followed by rational explanations of how this horrifying part of the history could possible happen. What I didn’t learn was how victims, perpetrators and next generations could possibly deal with this dirty past. How could people cope as repercussion to fascistic Nazi horrors, how does a nation cope? Why is there no system of some sort installed in Germany to help? Why is a reliving ability to mourn in Germany still lacking?

Kaarst, the town in Germany where I come from is a sleep-town near Düsseldorf. In terms of history, it is a vacuum. Düsseldorf itself is rebuilt after the war with typical 50’ architecture. When I studied in Maastricht I was happy to discover sites and cities in Belgium and the Netherlands that are saturated with history. A lot of history in Germany is either hidden or vanished without any trace. The feeling of not being properly rooted or grounded has had its significant influence on my work, which amongst other things, is about the search to find a meaningful relationship with places. My project Bound by History will at the same time further broaden and deepen my focus to questions my origins and identity. One could call this, a journey or pilgrimage, but one that has no religious character, but other similarities with the tradition. People made pilgrimages not only as trial of faith, or to ask for supernatural aid. Some see it as a ritual for cleansing, transformation and meditation. Because of the strains and inconveniences it was an accepted means to redeem sins and even punish crimes.

In past, my work on the Night Series involved long searches for the right spot, with long waiting hours because of needed exposure times, as well as my fear of the darkness. These conditions or restraints, as I have discovered are essential for the way I accustom myself with places where I live and work. Perhaps this is why the intensity is reflected in my work. My search though Germany and Poland will have its own specific obstacles, challenging but also in a long term rewarding. The contrast between formal aesthetics and hidden tension is one of my main interests for making work. How could an artist/photographer become conductor of a charge or tension that is not instantly detectable? With this project I am going to investigate for the first time, places that had witnessed some horrifying past. I am very curious and sincerely hope that I will be able to capture it and make it tangible again.“

Martin Effert’s work for BOUND has been supported by: