Franz Erhard Walther
Since the 1950s, he has been developing work that examines the role of spectators in the grasping of a piece, and also its status. As the creator of pieces to be put into motion, with his famous multi-part sculpture First Work Set (1963 – 1969), he has turned public participation into one of the drivers of his art. His use of fabrics combines elementary forms with conceptual notions, engages visitors, and marks a radical rethinking of the relationship between sculpture and action.
Franz Erhard Walther participated in the legendary exhibitions When Attitudes Become Form, 1969, curated by Harald Szeemann at the Bern Kunsthalle, Switzerland, as well as Spaces, 1969, at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, USA. Since the 1960s, he was invited to present his work in numerous international solo and group shows. He participated in Documenta 5 to 8 (1972, 1977, 1982, 1987) in Kassel, Germany. He was invited to the 57th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale “VIVA ARTE VIVA”, and honored by the Golden Lion Award for the Best Artist of the exhibition