Cooked up by Erni Bär, Germany--Spoonful of Pink Beaver (for recipe call: 0171-31544)

[Bifidus Jones]

Ideal, indeed. Inside the main envelope were three smaller packages:

And inside those packages I found the feast:

The above piece is called "Materia" which Erni did in 2000. (what does Ünspan refer to?) The lines and shapes of this piece are orderly, creating a work that comes across as stable and secure. The Lord Shiva looks composed and confident. However, like Erni, Shiva is paradoxical and complex. Shiva represents birth, death, and rebirth. Destruction and creation. Shiva is movement and tranquility at the same time. He's wild and compassionate. I think these opposites serve to remind us of endless possibilities. We are limitless. Does that equal freedom? Erni's art is crazy fun to look at, but demands philosophical attention too. Since the above piece came across as peaceful and steady to me, and knowing Erni, I was not surprised to find the next piece a darn-near opposite:

This piece sizzles. Erni has titled it, "Ychos"--also done in 2000. It seems like a long time ago that we were all preparing for Y2K, either with great hope for a fun and brighter future, or with panic and paranoia. Maybe in the year 2000, St. Pauli was the place to be, I don't know. This piece comes across as a holy mess because of the bright colors and angled placement of collage pieces. It offers debauchery and madness; a chance to join in on some kind of coup d'etat. Anything is possible.

And in the last little package, I found this:

Titled in 2010, this wooden spoon with its lovely face, is called simply, "Spoonful", but can mean so much.  Wooden spoons have been around for half of forever, and to me, represent the simple life of the ordinary artist who cooks and eats and doesn't let too much noise distract him. I like how this spoon has been used over the years. It shows wear and has stains (don't we all?) yet it comes across as wise because of its age, and it must have had a tender owner.

 

 

 

 

[Jen Staggs]

A dual composition - Erni the maker and Bifidus the viewer- a brilliant marriage!

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

The spoon is wondrous indeed! Great commentary, Bifidus, and great collage, herr Erni! Wow!