Presenting ANRA at River’s Edge Gallery will be their first American Exhibition
German Twins Transform Trash to Treasure in Detroit This Summer
Meet The Artist Reception July 19th 6pm-10pm at River’s Edge Gallery
Brothers will transform trash to art, blending ecology and social commentary throughout Detroit and Downriver
Wyndotte, Mich. - Andreas and Ralph Hilbert, twins from the German-Swiss border region did not set out to be artists. One was a baker and the other an electrical engineer when they went to see a Salvador Dali art exhibit. What they saw changed their lives. They were so moved by Dali’s art that they abandoned their careers and became artists under the single name ANRA.
Jeremy Hansen, co-owner of River’s Edge Gallery, in Wyandotte, met the Hilbert brothers while visiting Berlin several years ago, and was struck not only by their work but their sensibility.
"ANRA’s art, which they refer to as 'Eco-Trash', utilizes the detritus of consumer society to fashion new objects and installations," Hansen said. "They re-contextualize and transform materials that have been discarded and devalued, while commenting upon the inevitable waste and destruction that accompanies a consumerist society."
Hansen is bringing ANRA to Southeast Michigan for a month-long residency this summer. The Hilbert brothers will explore and salvage materials to incorporate into their art objects and collaborate with local partners such as Friends of the Rouge and Downriver Delta CDC to create site-specific installations.
ANRA's mentality is perfectly suited to the Motor City, where middle class consumerism was arguably born in the mid-20th century, and where today’s rivers, fields and alleys are often choked with trash.
Paul Draus, a professor of sociology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, who also sits on the board of directors for Friends of Rouge, remarks that our river banks reflect all the stuff we consume and how much of it we throw away.
“The Rouge River is like the drainpipe in your house that reveals all your secrets. It all ends up in there.” The banks of the Rouge River will be a key scavenging location for the artists.
“The Hilberts come from a very clean town where trash is actually scarce. Having access to all our primo garbage will be a real revelation for them,” Hansen laughs.
A meet the artist reception is scheduled for July 19th 6pm -10pm Click here
Here is our link to the Fox 2 segment with Amy Lange http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/twin-bothers-from-germany-collected-trash-from-detroit-rivers-they-re-displaying-it-as-art
For more information about ANRA's residency and work contact River's Edge Gallery – info@artattheedge.com
734-246-9880