Janus Hochgesand Libros

Janus Hochgesand (b. 1981 in Dierdorf, lives and works in Hamburg) refers to his works as “High Intensity Paintings,” characterized by a dense interplay of form and content alongside a high concentration of material layering. The paintings are created through a unique process where the artist uses a broom or vacuum cleaner to manipulate pigments poured onto the canvas, engaging in repetitive cycles of adding and removing material. Through the layering of colors, Hochgesand draws from the aesthetics of Abstract Expressionism and Art Informel, yet distills these influences into a distinct performative approach. The book project Live Paintings, featuring a foreword by Rene Spiegelberger and a text by Christina Irrgang, documents five performances that showcase the artist's creative process. His vibrant, abstract works are produced in front of an audience, outside the confines of the studio. Accompanied by musicians and actors, Hochgesand’s creative moments are shared and influenced by their presence, transforming his movements across the canvas into a dance, where colors become materialized sounds. This exploration invites readers to witness the dynamic interplay between art and performance.