Unveiling the Eerie Sealant-Based Sculptures: In Which Things Feel Animated

Should you be thinking about restroom upgrades, you may want not to choose hiring the sculptor for the job.

Truly, she's a whiz using sealant applicators, creating intriguing creations from this unlikely substance. But longer you observe these pieces, the more one notices that something is a little off.

The dense tubes from the foam Herfeldt forms extend beyond their supports supporting them, sagging downwards towards the floor. The knotty tubular forms swell until they split. A few artworks escape their acrylic glass box homes completely, becoming a magnet of debris and fibers. Let's just say the reviews would not be positive.

There are moments I feel the feeling that things seem animated within a space,” says Herfeldt. This is why I came to use this foam material due to its such an organic feel and appearance.”

In fact there is an element almost visceral in Herfeldt’s work, including the suggestive swelling that protrudes, hernia-like, from the support in the centre of the gallery, or the gut-like spirals from the material which split open resembling bodily failures. Displayed nearby, are mounted images showing the pieces seen from various perspectives: resembling microscopic invaders seen in scientific samples, or growths on a petri-dish.

What captivates me that there are things inside human forms taking place that seem to hold independent existence,” she says. Elements you can’t see or control.”

On the subject of elements beyond her influence, the poster promoting the event displays a picture of water damage overhead at her creative space located in Berlin. It was erected decades ago and, she says, faced immediate dislike among the community because a lot of old buildings were removed to allow its construction. By the time run-down as the artist – who was born in Munich although she spent her youth in northern Germany prior to moving to the capital as a teenager – began using the space.

This decrepit property was frustrating for the artist – it was risky to display her pieces without concern potential harm – however, it was intriguing. Lacking architectural drawings on hand, no one knew the way to fix any of the issues that arose. When the ceiling panel in Herfeldt’s studio became so sodden it fell apart fully, the sole fix was to replace the panel with a new one – perpetuating the issue.

Elsewhere on the property, Herfeldt says the water intrusion was severe that a series of shower basins got placed in the suspended ceiling to divert leaks to another outlet.

It dawned on me that the building acted as a physical form, an entirely malfunctioning system,” the artist comments.

This scenario reminded her of a classic film, the director's first cinematic piece featuring a smart spaceship which becomes autonomous. Additionally, observers may note given the naming – Alice, Laurie & Ripley – more movies have inspired to have influenced this exhibition. Those labels point to main characters in the slasher film, Halloween and the extraterrestrial saga as listed. The artist references a critical analysis from a scholar, which identifies these “final girls” a distinctive cinematic theme – women left alone to overcome.

These figures are somewhat masculine, rather quiet enabling their survival due to intelligence,” she elaborates about such characters. No drug use occurs nor sexual activity. Regardless who is watching, all empathize with this character.”

The artist identifies a connection between these characters and her sculptures – elements that barely staying put under strain affecting them. Does this mean the art more about cultural decay rather than simply water damage? Similar to various systems, substances like silicone meant to insulate and guard against harm are gradually failing in our environment.

“Absolutely,” she confirms.

Before finding inspiration in the silicone gun, she experimented with different unconventional substances. Recent shows included forms resembling tongues made from fabric similar to you might see in insulated clothing or in coats. Once more, there's the impression these strange items might animate – certain pieces are folded like caterpillars mid-crawl, others lollop down from walls or extend through entries attracting dirt from footprints (Herfeldt encourages people to handle leaving marks on pieces). As with earlier creations, these nylon creations are also housed in – and escaping from – inexpensive-seeming display enclosures. They’re ugly looking things, and really that’s the point.

“They have a specific look which makes one compelled by, while also appearing gross,” the artist comments with a smile. “It tries to be invisible, but it’s actually highly noticeable.”

Herfeldt is not making pieces that offer relaxation or beauty. Rather, she aims for uncomfortable, awkward, maybe even amused. And if there's something wet dripping from above as well, remember this was foreshadowed.