Claudia ich liebe dich oder so 22/25 Uhr 2001

CLAUDIA ICH LIEBE DICH ODER SO 22/25 UHR

The glowing handwritten confession of love, inspired by graffiti that artist Mark Handforth discovered on a wall, is housed under the Johanniterbrücke over the Rhine. Hung from the bridge’s western pier in 2001 as part of the temporary art-in-context project Lokalzeit, in 2002 the installation of the artwork was permanently secured. Although the girder somewhat protects the delicate neon script, the glass tubing is vulnerable to weathering and other damage by the elements including high water, making it necessary for regular upkeep and so far one complete replacement.

MARK HANDFORTH

British artist Mark Handforth (b. 1969 in Hong Kong) has lived and worked in Miami since 1992. His mostly large-format sculptures sometimes have a primarily site-specific, but also conceptual character. As well, there is a relation to Pop Art in the sense that his artworks are based on everyday life pictorial or written material and found objects including the employment of the neon sign as medium. Numerous artworks of Handforth have been installed in public spaces in the United States.

LOKALZEIT

LOKALZEIT took place from May 18 to July 1, 2001 in the St. Johann district of Basel under the direction of Linda Cassens, Helen Hirsch, and Sue Irion. The aim of LOKALZEIT was to encourage artists to immerse themselves in the given “local time” of different designated places in St. Johann to develop specific artworks. The project consisted of twelve artistic works, including a night market involving local merchants and artists from the quarter.

Title: Claudia ich liebe dich oder so 22/25 Uhr
Date made: 2001
Artist: Mark Handforth (*1969)
Medium / Material: Neon light installation with glass tubing and metal frame
Dimensions: 40 × 900 cm
Location: St. Johanns-Rheinweg / Johanniterbrücke
Mode of acquisition: Project Lokalzeit with CMS and Jacqueline Spengler Stiftung
Collection: Bau- und Verkehrsdepartement