Linus Riepler

Linus Riepler

2019 Kamiyama Artist in Residence Participant

In his artistic practice, Linus Riepler works on methods to engage the viewer. His subjects are the perception of space and how a narration can influence a spatial setting. He creates worlds that the viewer can enter. Sometimes they become room filling installations, other times they appear as dioramas inside small display boxes. Part of his methodology is experimentation with different ways of storytelling, but in every case the story stays fragmented.

A touch of entertainment is inherent in his works, making them a kind of walk-in show. Riepler's sculptures and installations are interactive, but mostly analogue. They use pulley systems, ropes, winches and other simple mechanics, plus some basic electric components connected to them. More recent work incorporates sound, light and video. Some projects translate new technologies into his analogue language by referencing themes such as Star Trek's holodeck or virtual reality.

Many works have their origin in personal memories. This can be a memory of a certain place, an object or a situation. Each work begins with the reconstruction of a mentioned place or event. Soon real life memories get combined with completely imaginary inventions and grow into something fictional.

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It’s a Little Bit Over
By: Linus Riepler

The work, “It’s a Little Bit Over” is an interactive sculpture in the shape of a room, which the viewers can enter.

In his artistic practice, Linus Riepler often builds rooms. This work, which was developed during the KAIR residency 2019, is his interpretation of a Japanese room. Its dimensions are the same, as the living room of his temporary home here in Kamiyama.

Viewers can interact with the work. By pulling handles, the interior can be changed. Through the use of pulleys, different sceneries will appear. These sceneries will show different memories of Linus’ residency in Kamiyama. The movable parts are inspired by traditional Japanese Fusuma theatre. Their function is a direct reference, to the way Fusuma panels are moved. However, instead of use in a theatre context, the mechanisms are adapted into a room installation. Similar to theatre backdrops, different worlds are created, and narrations are indicated within a space.

“It’s a Little Bit Over” plays with different layers of memory. The room itself is an architectural interpretation of an existing room. That said, the interior is not just that specific room. It also depicts different places by using found objects, photos, and specific materials. The title of this work describes the act of producing a memory, by realising that something is ending. And it reflects the in-limbo situation this exhibition produces. It is the end point of a period a time, that is not completely over yet – but it’s already a little bit over.