THE BAUHAUS SPIRIT OF DANIEL RICH

The artist who shares their life between "The United States and Germany constantly draw inspiration from these different aesthetics. He returns to ARTIST this time with a focus on design."

We remember, the German photographer Daniel Rich paints XXL paintings that often depict megacities seen from above or from the street, ultra-concentrated urban landscapes.

In February 2024, the "Olympe" collection came from one of its canvases after her visit to Athens: 'density of the place, colors of the terrace awnings… A world that allowed for the architecture of a collection of women's clothing.'

He also creates more abstract paintings. He draws his references from his own photographs, from images sourced from the media, and from his online research. The strength of his practice and expression is linked to his keen interest in investigative journalism.

Sometimes, literature or cinema, other times travel or other lived experiences influence the result of a long, very intuitive artistic process.

His work is strongly marked by his initial training in engraving, mainly in screen printing and intaglio. He uses a squeegee to apply his material, rarely a brush, and produces a pictorial film.

He paints on a composite aluminum material, loves this surface so smooth and so perfect, totally suited to his large formats. By hand, he cuts all his stencils with a knife, sacrificing many blades and masking accessories.

Equipped with a spray gun and a compressor, he is comfortable spraying his paint over large flat areas of color. Then, he transitions between them, bringing them closer together, merging them.

Very quickly, he is captivated by the graffiti he observes in the trains on the way to school. He spends a lot of time in urban skateboarding environments, meeting the influences. hip-hop, street sports, main vectors of images and cultural codes.

To such an extent that it also forms 'in skateboarding and graffiti, two disciplines that will significantly change his perspective and interaction with architecture and the built environment.'

 The structure, the pattern inhabit his art and occupy the entire surface of his paintings. For the upcoming collection (from March 28 to April 6) called "New Wave," ARTIST has focused on a work that is calmer and more intimate. Here, Daniel Rich is urged to leave the outside to go inside.

He proposes a moment of reflection and introspection.

 

The canvas by Daniel RICH chosen for the next collection "New Wave" from March 28 to April 6, 2025.

It is necessary to tell the story of this work originally titled " Gropius House, Lincoln, Massachusetts (2023) ». 'The artist painted a library and the Art-à-Porter brand liked the graphic alignment of the shelves, the matte boxes, or the shine of the covers.'

The stacking of ordered piles "testifies not only to the specificity of the place, but also to anecdotes that one could draw from his diary," small scribbled notes...

 

We are therefore wandering through the Gropius house-museum owned by Historic New England in Lincoln, USA. It was the family residence of the modernist architect Walter Gropius (1883-1969). German designer and urban planner, naturalized American in 1944.

Founder of the Bauhaus (house of construction), a key movement in European art between the wars.

The interiors call out to Daniel Rich for their subtext of intimacy, but also of banality, and banality is actually essential. He instills a sense of strangeness in the viewer, so that they can project themselves into the space, whether they are intrigued, apprehended, invited, or voyeuristic.

On these shelves, one imagines the books of the family that lived there: history of art, symbolism of architecture, Bauhaus, sketched plans and dimensions… One finds oneself inventing that of Daniel Rich: history of painting, political stakes of art and aesthetics, artificial intelligence…

The sharp colors and simple patterns harmonize and create a contradictory impression of flatness and depth. DR uses this strategy to compose a precise and chromatic geometry of the hyperrealistic canvas, to play with perception.

Recognized artist, very present on the international artistic scene,  he exhibits personally, participates in collective events, and is included in numerous collections in various American states and different European countries.

The main galleries:

Miles McEnery Gallery - New York City, USA

www.milesmcenery.com

 

Weber Fine Art - Greenwich, Connecticut, USA

www-weberfineart-com

 

Bernhard Knaus Fine Art - Düsseldorf, Germany

https://bernhardknaus.com

 

https://www.danielrich.net - Instagram: @drichski

 

Born in Ulm, Germany in 1977, Daniel Rich lives and works between Germany and the USA.

Studies in the United States:

Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Maine,

MFA, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts,

BFA, Atlanta College of Art, Georgia.