ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Julian Rosefeldt: Unmasking Cinematic Illusions

exhibition · 2026-04-23

Julian Rosefeldt, a Munich native born in 1965, showcases his work in exhibitions at Kunstmuseum Bonn from November 12, 2009, to January 17, 2010, and at EX3 Florence from October 29 to December 6, 2009. This German artist, whose background is in architecture, creates video installations that unveil the intricacies of filmmaking. His notable pieces, including the Trilogy of Failure (comprising The Soundmaker, 2004; Stunned Man, 2004; and The Perfectionist, 2005), highlight industry techniques. The Soundmaker features the crew prominently, echoing Hitchcock's signature cameos. In 2009, his five-screen installation American Night contrasts Western stereotypes with contemporary themes. Rosefeldt often screens up to nine films at once, emphasizing the artistry of cinema over digital effects, spanning various genres from Bollywood to Westerns.

Key facts

  • Julian Rosefeldt was born in Munich in 1965.
  • Two exhibitions: Kunstmuseum Bonn (Nov 12, 2009 – Jan 17, 2010) and EX3 Florence (Oct 29 – Dec 6, 2009).
  • Rosefeldt studied architecture and worked in TV studios and theater set construction.
  • Trilogy of Failure includes The Soundmaker (2004), Stunned Man (2004), and The Perfectionist (2005).
  • American Night (2009) is a five-screen Western installation with a helicopter landing G.I.s.
  • The title American Night references François Truffaut's Day for Night (1973).
  • Rosefeldt projects up to nine films simultaneously, using split-screen techniques.
  • He prefers video over cinema for its freedom in sound and looped editing.

Entities

Artists

  • Julian Rosefeldt
  • Buster Keaton
  • Alfred Hitchcock
  • Jacques Tati
  • Bruce Lee
  • Jean Cocteau
  • Lewis Carroll
  • Robert Longo
  • Steve McQueen
  • Julian Schnabel
  • Sam Peckinpah
  • Jean-Luc Godard
  • François Truffaut
  • Ennio Morricone
  • Steven Soderbergh
  • Quentin Tarantino
  • Thibaut de Ruyter

Institutions

  • Kunstmuseum Bonn
  • EX3 Florence
  • ZK Max Munich
  • Max Wigram Gallery London
  • Apeejay Media Gallery New Delhi
  • Platform China Beijing
  • Galeria Vermelho São Paulo
  • Koraalberg Antwerp
  • Galerie Helga de Alvear Madrid
  • Phillips de Pury & Company New York
  • Arndt & Partner Project Space Berlin
  • HMKV Dortmund
  • art press

Locations

  • Munich
  • Germany
  • Bonn
  • Florence
  • Italy
  • Berlin
  • London
  • New Delhi
  • Beijing
  • São Paulo
  • Antwerp
  • Madrid
  • New York
  • Dortmund

Sources