OLAF BREUNING

PESSIMIST

I would describe myself as a somewhat optimistic person. Sometimes, I complain about this and that, but I am constantly aware that it is my humble opinion. However, the relationship between us and nature has always made me go on a slightly pessimistic path. So powerfully, we humans symbolize the peek of evolution; it shows that we are not intelligent enough to make wise decisions about significant issues leading toward our future. We have only a limited capacity to take the past as thoughtful guidance to avoid and repeat mistakes made by our ancestors. We are not capable of thinking slightly further than our own lives. I wish there would be moral conciseness telling us how to make our interaction with our surroundings successful. Now, more than ever, we realize that we already made many mistakes and that we already crossed many thresholds to continue a healthy relationship with nature. Here we go. I am a big fan of human achievement, and I am also sad about our incapacity to think in a bigger context and learn from our past. In that way, I do not trust us as a species to succeed in the future.

The selection of works on this page symbolizes my concerns and critical attitude towards the limited capacities of human brains. Mine included.

Fire, 2008, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 152 x 190 cm (59 x 74 in.)
Save The Climate!, 2017, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 122 x 155 cm (48 x 61 in.)
The Pessimists, 2018, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 122 x 155 cm (48 x 61 in.)
Why Can You Not Be Nice with Nature?, 2008, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 152 x 190 cm (59 6 x 74 6 in.)
Protesters, 2014, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 122 x 155 cm (48 x 61 in.)
We Only Move Wehen Something Changes, 2002, C-Print, 5 Ed. + 2 AP: 122 x 155 cm (48 x 61 in.) 10 Ed. + 2 AP: 80 x 100 cm (32 x 39 in.)
We Are All In the Same Boat, 2018, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 122 x 155 cm (48 x 61 in.)
Bubble Rock, 2018, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 122 x 155 cm (48 x 61 in.)
Complaining Forest, 2010, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 132 x 190 cm (52 x 74 6 in.)
Good News Bad News, 2008, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 152 x 190 cm (59 x 74 in.)
You Can't Teach Old Dogs New Tricks, 2018, C-Print, 6 Ed. + 2 AP: 122 x 155 cm (48 x 61 in.)
Don’t Worry, 2015, Dye sublimation on aluminum, 3 Ed. + 2 AP: 100 x 125 cm (39 x 49 in.)
Mother Nature, 2018, laquered aluminum, 360 x 300 x 30 cm, Edition 1/1, Foundation Carmignac, Porquerolles
I Can Not Take It Anymore, 2015, Steel, chrome plated brass, 48 x 71 x 181 cm (19 x 28 x 71 4 in.)
Invasion, 2016, material: ceramic, under glazecolors, glaze fired, plate 50 x 40 cm, hight 10 cm, 17 pieces, different colors, edition 1/1
Clown, No Reason, 2014, Carrara marble, 45 x 55 x 170 cm (17 x 21 x 67 in.)
Human Nature, 2020, gesso and acrylic on canvas, 63 x 52 inches 160 x 132.1 cm