Delving into Lisa Herfeldt's Eerie Silicone-Gun Art: Where Things Feel Animated

If you're planning bathroom renovations, it's advisable not to choose engaging Lisa Herfeldt for such tasks.

Indeed, she's a whiz using sealant applicators, crafting fascinating artworks from this unlikely substance. But as you look at her creations, the clearer you realise that something feels slightly unnerving.

The dense tubes of sealant she crafts stretch past the shelves where they rest, hanging over the sides to the ground. Those twisted tubular forms expand before bursting open. Some creations break free from the display cases completely, turning into a magnet of debris and fibers. It's safe to say the reviews might not get favorable.

“I sometimes have an impression that objects possess life within a space,” remarks Herfeldt. “That’s why I started using silicone sealant due to its such an organic sensation and look.”

In fact one can detect somewhat grotesque about Herfeldt’s work, starting with the phallic bulge which extends, like a medical condition, from the support in the centre of the gallery, and the winding tubes from the material that rupture like medical emergencies. Displayed nearby, the artist presents photocopies depicting the sculptures viewed from different angles: appearing as wormy parasites seen in scientific samples, or colonies on a petri-dish.

What captivates me is the idea inside human forms taking place that seem to hold a life of their own,” Herfeldt explains. Phenomena which remain unseen or manage.”

On the subject of elements beyond her influence, the promotional image featured in the exhibition features a picture of water damage overhead at her creative space in the German capital. It was erected decades ago and, she says, was quickly despised from residents since many old buildings were removed in order to make way for it. The place was in a state of disrepair when Herfeldt – who was born in Munich but grew up north of Hamburg then relocating to Berlin in her youth – took up residence.

This decrepit property was frustrating for her work – she couldn’t hang her art works without fearing risk of ruin – but it was also fascinating. With no building plans available, nobody had a clue the way to fix the malfunctions that developed. When the ceiling panel in Herfeldt’s studio was saturated enough it gave way completely, the only solution involved installing it with another – and so the cycle continued.

Elsewhere on the property, the artist explains the leaking was so bad that several shower basins were installed within the drop ceiling to divert the moisture elsewhere.

“I realised that the building acted as a physical form, a completely flawed entity,” Herfeldt states.

These conditions brought to mind Dark Star, the director's first 1974 film featuring a smart spaceship that takes on a life of its own. As the exhibition's title suggests given the naming – Alice, Laurie & Ripley – more movies have inspired impacting Herfeldt’s show. These titles refer to main characters in Friday 13th, the iconic thriller plus the sci-fi hit in that order. The artist references an academic paper by the American professor, which identifies these surviving characters a distinctive cinematic theme – female characters isolated to overcome.

They often display toughness, reserved in nature and she can survive due to intelligence,” says Herfeldt about such characters. No drug use occurs nor sexual activity. It is irrelevant the audience's identity, all empathize with this character.”

She draws a similarity from these protagonists with her creations – things that are just about staying put amidst stress affecting them. Does this mean the art more about social breakdown beyond merely water damage? Because like so many institutions, such components meant to insulate and guard us from damage are gradually failing around us.

“Completely,” she confirms.

Prior to discovering her medium in the silicone gun, Herfeldt used alternative odd mediums. Past displays included organic-looking pieces made from a synthetic material found in in insulated clothing or inside a jacket. Once more, there's the impression these peculiar objects might animate – a few are compressed like caterpillars mid-crawl, some droop heavily from walls blocking passages attracting dirt from footprints (She prompts audiences to interact leaving marks on pieces). As with earlier creations, these nylon creations also occupy – leaving – inexpensive-seeming acrylic glass boxes. These are unattractive objects, and that's the essence.

“They have a specific look that draws viewers compelled by, yet simultaneously they’re very disgusting,” the artist comments grinning. “It tries to be invisible, yet in reality extremely obvious.”

Herfeldt's goal isn't work to make you feel relaxation or beauty. Conversely, she aims for unease, odd, perhaps entertained. However, should you notice a moist sensation from above too, remember the alert was given.