watching sugar dissolve in a glass of water

In parallel to his own exhibition at mumok, Martin Beck is also presenting a new arrangement of works from the museum’s permanent collection. His selection focuses on works of the 1960s and 1970s and indicates a number of important influences on Beck‘s own artistic work. Abstract and figurative, and conceptual and painterly approaches are presented in often surprising combinations and exciting arrangements. Beck sees these combinations as scenarios, in the sense of scenes, unities, or conflicts. The exhibition title, watching sugar dissolve in a glass of water, refers to a process of precise observation and the transformation of aggregate states of affairs.

Martin Beck‘s collection exhibition is closely linked to his own show, rumors and murmurs. The two exhibition designs—on two levels of the museum—are nearly identical, but nonetheless meet different needs within their own specific contexts. While the walls and spatial elements in watching sugar dissolve in a glass of water are used primarily as functional surfaces, in rumors and murmurs the same architecture is used to explore the borders between artworks, presentation structure, and processes of orientation.