The Appearance of Things – For Those Who Want to Know, 13 min. © 2019. Teaser for a planned feature-lenght documentary about Peter Josef Abels and his artistic work, by Claudia Schmid. 

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This teaser serves as an introduction to the complex sculptural work "The Stage" by Düsseldorf-based artist Peter Josef Abels—a piece that has repeatedly transformed over the course of many years and continues to grow steadily. It is a fascinating journey into the imaginative world of one of the most unconventional artists of our time.

 

The Artist Peter-Josef Abels on His Sculptural Work "The Stage"

Piö Abels: "Even though 'The Stage' is a comedy, there are dramas within it, too. It is about the seriousness of life. But when you say 'the seriousness of life,' you immediately start to laugh—don't you?
A painting by Goya comes to mind right now, in which two men are stuck waist-deep in the mud. They stand directly opposite one another, and both are holding something to beat the other with. They are pummeling each other. After all, they are in the exact same predicament—unable to move an inch—yet each blames the other. It is truly tragic, but that is often how things are in life. With Goya, I simply have to laugh, even if that wasn't his intention. One often finds similar themes in Beckett. With 'The Stage,' I intended to convey both: humor and seriousness. Humor allows you to create distance—even from your own work. The renowned Chinese philosopher Laozi once offered a beautiful piece of advice: 'As soon as you form a thought, laugh at it.' If you have an idea, laugh at it first; otherwise, you risk getting trapped by your own earnestness."

"Theater and language go hand in hand. You don't necessarily have to understand the language to enjoy a play. However, if you *do* understand it, it functions as a meta-level—an additional layer of play. On stage, you don't merely stand there; you also communicate through gestures, and music is added to the mix. The whole ensemble should create a resonance—but without ever being didactic or 'preachy.' That is why these quotes or aphorisms often seem to contradict one another; they are playing *with* each other. I have always been an avid reader, and I’ve made a habit of writing down the most beautiful passages I come across. Many of those passages have ultimately found their way onto 'The Stage.'"