Julian Opie
Walking on the Vltava, 2007
”Suzanne walking“ and ”Bruce walking“
LEDs (light emitting diodes) on the plinths in the river Vltava near Charles Bridge.
Outdoor installation in Prague (Czech Republic).
Exhibition in Museum Kampa, Prague.
Julian Opie is amongst the leading contemporary artists of international reputation. Born in 1958, he now lives and works in London. Opie studied at the Goldsmith College of Art and shortly afterwards exhibited at the Lisson Gallery and in the ICA in London, at the Kunstverein Cologne and the foundation Cartier pour l’art contemporain. His artworks form part of the most extinguished art collections and museums of the world, such as the The Tate Modern, The National Portrait Gallery in London, MoMA in New York, MOMAT in Tokyo and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
An unexpected interpretation of the sculpture is achieved by using computer animation, sound and LED screens. The broad spectrum of different influences which form the basis for Opie’s works such as classic portraits and sculptures as well as Japanese manga comics, is matched by the various media and technologies employed in his works.
The reduction to the essential is the main characteristic of his work. This leitmotif is especially evident in his portraits. His highly stylistic work includes the transmission of photography (or short movies) into figurative reproductions, which are being created by means of a computer animation. His illustrations enable a new access to images and forms, which, being made out of new materials and media, refer to the modern world. In 2001 Julian Opie received the price of best illustration issued by the magazine Music Week for his cover illustration of the British music group Blur’s CD ”Best of Blur“.