Norbert Delman’s piece of art refers, on the one hand, to the contemporary cult of the fit body, which is an effect of strenuous work of muscles in the gym, and to the necessity to control the male image as a representation of domination and rule. On the other hand, it invokes the fascist aesthetic codes which cryptonymise the symbol of the overman in the male body. The colourful stylisation in the artist’s computer printout introduces a popular culture ironic distance which questions collective fantasies. It is worth asking about their status, especially if they can lead to a thoughtless fascination with violence and manifestation of physical force. The towel used in the project as a canvas is the first material being in contact with the tired sweaty body. Abstract graphics have been created based on photographs of sculptures of communist blue-collar workers from the Warsaw MDM housing development.
Norbert Delman – born in 1989; studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw where he was awarded his diploma in the Studio of Spatial Activities run by Prof. Mirosław Bałka. A sculptor, performer, author of videos, installations and graphics. A curator of exhibitions and collaborative projects. Apart from the artistic activity, a co-author of the exhibition Stroboskop Art Space in Warsaw (since 2016). A holder of scholarships as part of the following programmes: InterModem in the MODEM Centre for Modern and Contemporary Arts in Debrecen, Hungary (2011), RSA/ESW in Edinburgh (2014), WRSW|BRLN (2016). His works were shown e.g. in the Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art in Warsaw (2014, 2017), MODEM CCA in Debrecen, ESW in Edinburgh (2014), Royal Scottish Academy (2015), MOCAK Kraków (2013), Labirynt Gallery in Lublin (2014, 2015), Arsenal in Białystok (2013), Ludwig Museum in Budapest (2016), Museum of Yugoslavia in Belgrade (2016), and on the occasion of opening the Sculpture Park in Bródno and Warsaw under Construction by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Warsaw (2016), Biennale de La Biche (2017) Wrocław Contemporary Museum (2017). A holder of a scholarship of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage (2016). Lives and works in Warsaw.