Thomas Hirschhorn's ABSCHLAG Installation at MANIFESTA 10 in St. Petersburg

In 2014, Thomas Hirschhorn developed ABSCHLAG, a substantial installation measuring 16.5 × 9.36 × 3.25 meters, for MANIFESTA 10 held in St. Petersburg, Russia. This project, commissioned by the event and backed by the LUMA Foundation and the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, featured a scaffolding structure made from various materials, including cardboard, packing tape, wood, plywood, aluminum foil, polyethylene, metal pipes, acrylic, spray paint, Styrofoam, and foam blocks. Furnishings within the installation comprised six tables, beds, chairs, bedside chests, bureaus, heaters, closets, chandeliers, and table lamps. Additionally, it showcased works by Kazimir Malevich, Pavel Filonov, and Olga Rozanova from the State Russian Museum’s collection. The installation was presented at the General Staff Building of the State Hermitage Museum, with documentation published on artcritical.com on August 25, 2014. This work emphasizes Hirschhorn’s exploration of material combinations and historical influences in contemporary art.