Thomas Bayrle's 'Playtime' survey at New Museum explores systems through mass imagery and mechanical prayers

The New Museum of Contemporary Art hosted Thomas Bayrle's inaugural significant exhibition in New York, titled 'Playtime,' from June 20 to September 2, 2018. This comprehensive showcase included 115 pieces spanning various artistic mediums. Born in Berlin in 1937, Bayrle's upbringing shaped his emphasis on themes of repetition and mechanization. Among the highlighted works were 'super forms' such as the Flugzeug (1982-3) collage and 'praying machines' that generated cathedral-like environments. The exhibition's lower level featured nearly 100 items, including Mao (1966) and Himmelfahrt (1988). A panel discussion on July 19, moderated by Alex Kitnick, included artists Jordan Wolfson, Jacolby Satterwhite, and Lena Henke, who explored Bayrle's influence on digital technology and politics. Bayrle remarked, "even in billions, everything is singular and unique."