Matti Braun
Cat. Kunstverein Heilbronn
The book delves into Bengali science fiction and modernism in India during the latter half of the twentieth century, developed in collaboration with co-editors Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay and Beth Citron. It explores Matti Braun's batiks and silk paintings, showcasing how he intertwines historical saris with contemporary art, revealing the often-overlooked effects of intercultural dynamics and patterns of artistic migration. Braun's silk paintings, influenced by Minimalism and Pop Art, contrast with traditional garments like the wrap-around skirt, which serves practical purposes in subtropical regions and is now a sought-after auction item, often displayed in museums across Asia and Europe. The book further investigates the associative network underpinning Braun's recent work, including the story of Satyajit Ray's unrealized film "The Alien," intended for a major Hollywood studio in the mid-1960s. The controversy surrounding Steven Spielberg's 1982 blockbuster "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" raises questions about potential plagiarism from Ray's original concept. This rich exploration is complemented by the exhibition at Galerie Esther Schipper in Berlin, running from January 17 to February 22, 2020.
