Man figures: Charred construction timbers

„At the end of the exhibition Worlds on fire | Under Cover of Darkness, Helen Weber gives insights into her current works in which wood is preserved (carbonised) by means of fire.
At dusk, lanterns made on site, as well as charred fragments of so-called „Mannfiguren“ (or „Männle“), which are hidden in the facades of half-timbered houses throughout Germany, are exposed in the outdoor space/parking lot of the E-WERK Freiburg. „Lanterns“ are charred wooden sculptures equipped with LED motion sensors and objects inspired by contemporary garden design and surveillance. Through the movements of the visitors, a small LED built into the wood like an eye is activated and looks back. A green drink is served by the fire, which could be called „woodruff“ but also „matrisilva“ (Latin for forest mother), and invites conversation about various constructions of the natural.“

Residency at E-Werk, Freiburg/DE 2023. Images by Marc Doradzillo