Julius von Bismarck
∗1983, Breisach am Rhein, Germany
In his works, Julius von Bismarck investigates the notion of nature as cultural product and social fiction. His research is intertwined with scientific research and takes on various forms: from sculpture to photography, and from installations to performance action videos. In one of his most recent works –TheElephant in the Room(2023) – the artist juxtaposes an equestrian monument dedicated to Otto von Bismarck (the replica of a public sculpture in Bremen) with a taxidermised giraffe, each placed on a pedestal. Unexpectedly, both statues collapse in on themselves, disarticulating until they almost fall over, only tore assemble and become whole again. The project literally and conceptually deconstructs the idea of the monument, focusing on two opposing mythologies:that of German history and that of nature read through the lens of exoticism.ForThe Parliament of Marmots, von Bismarck designed a new equestrian statue, installed in the centre of Ortisei. Proudly riding the horse, instead of a victorious warrior there is a bark beetle: a small local beetle that, due to global warming and human (in)action, has infested the forests of the Dolomites in recent years, leading to the disappearance of entire woodland areas. Depicting the insect as a conqueror, with the bark beetle on horseback the artist questions humans as one of the greatest plagues to their own environment.
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