Matinee-Talk
11:00 AM with Mike Kraus, Rolf Knie, and Peter Kraus.
Moderator is Thomas Renggli
Vernissage
Saturday, June 15, 2024
11:00 AM Talk with the artists and Peter Kraus
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM with the artists present
Exhibition duration: June 19 - July 18, 2024
Wed. - Sat. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wed. - Sat. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Through a long-standing friendship with Peter Kraus, we became aware of the extraordinary talent of Mike. We are proud to present him for the first time in a joint exhibition here in Switzerland. Experience the remarkable harmonious fusion of our works! We are also very pleased to welcome Peter Kraus and his wife Ingrid on this special day and warmly invite you to be a part of this event!
MIKE KRAUS
The artistic work of Mike Kraus, born in 1973 in Vienna, is diverse and spans painting, photography, film, and music.
The foundation for his interest in these various art forms was laid during his youth and was solidified after his high school graduation in 1991 through his studies at the Saci School of Arts. Equipped with this knowledge and tools in film history and photography, he moved to Chicago, where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts, specializing in directing and cinematography.
Since then, he has worked successfully as a documentary filmmaker, cameraman, director, and photographer. As a musician, he was also active in over 500 concerts with his own compositions on German stages.
Numerous national and international stars have stood in front of his camera, where he captured them with his fine artistic eye and great attention to detail. His perfected aesthetic and ability to capture the character and uniqueness of a person distinguish his photographic portraits.
This ability to highlight details and capture the uniqueness of a scene is also reflected in his painting. His work is largely inspired by the great surrealists. However, his poetically figurative compositions represent a harmonious interplay between dream and reality. The fact that his art is always critical, yet full of beauty, is not in contradiction for Mike Kraus.
Mike Kraus' latest works "Vénération" and "Unverblümt" were showcased, among others, at the Prediger Museum in Schwäbisch Gmünd and at the Kunsthalle of the Hypo-Kulturstiftung in Munich.
ROLF KNIE
The painter, artist, and actor Rolf Knie, born in 1949, belongs to the 6th generation of the Swiss circus dynasty.
At the age of 5, he was already performing in the circus ring – and this deep connection to the circus world has influenced his entire artistic work.
In the late 1970s, he created his first paintings, which were still strongly influenced by drawing. After successes with exhibitions, Rolf Knie separated from the circus and began a career as an actor and painter. Since 1990, he has devoted himself entirely to painting. Knie's art became increasingly painterly, the palette brightened, and the colorfulness of his works dominated the graphic element. Since 1980, a large body of graphic work has also been created, with lithographs and serigraphs. In addition, Rolf Knie works as a sculptor, creating bronze small sculptures as well as monumental iron sculptures weighing up to 16 tons.
Exhibitions in Switzerland and abroad (including Germany, Miami, Paris, London, Madrid, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Singapore, Uruguay, Cuba, and China) document the great popularity of the renowned Swiss artist. From all his works, a strong emotional connection to the circus world can be felt. The majority of his original works are painted on chapiteau, on real, long-used tent fabric. Through his artistic work, Rolf Knie also makes an important contribution to preserving and recognizing an art form that is threatened by the entertainment media, yet is culturally and significantly supportive.
Using the energy life offers and sharing the successes achieved with others is something every person should strive for. This philosophy is visible and tangible in Rolf Knie. A good foundation for the success of his projects is his open-mindedness, respect for the achievements of other artists, and – despite all the artistic discipline he has maintained in his daily work – the ability to approach things with ease and joy. The creation of a unique artist who walks his path with energy and charm.
