'Grand Élysées' by BERNHARD MARTIN

‘Élysée’ is the French word for the Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed dead in Greek mythology. In other words, a beautiful place, even paradisiacal, “not unlike the ANDREAS MURKUDIS stores,“ Bernhard Martin says. The focus of his exhibition ‘Grand Élysées’ at STORE 77, however, were the ‘dumbasses‘ that inhabit the Élysée that is our world – and fall through its cracks. In the paintings on display, the German artist explored those members of our society who reject the status quo in favor of a more duplicitous existence. The ones who find loopholes in the rigid structure of our Western culture, defying its quanitfiable nature. Bernhard Martin attended the opening event.