Artist: Malte Zander
Exhibition title: Best Friends
Venue: City Galerie Wien, Vienna, Austria
Date: May 7 – June 19, 2022
Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artist and City Galerie Wien
To the one of the shimmering platform who knows,
“We’ll wait.”
Nick: Hey! Are you okay? Lexie: Yeah, I’m fine. Tash: What the hell was that? Alex: Did someone die? Kaspar: No, it’s just a bit of a mess. Mele: It’s always a mess. Nick: What’s going on? J.B.: Some of us are still trying to get ready for our big day. Kaspar: We’re all on the same side. But we need to say that we got nothing to say. Tash: Come on, Kaspar. You know how it is. We’re all running late. Alex: Let’s go. Kaspar: Okay.
Nick: What’s up, man? Tash: Hey, Nick. How’s it going? Lexie: Hey there, Nick. How are you? J.B.: Hey, Nick. How’s it going? Alex: Hey, Nick. How you doing? Kaspar: (jumping out of the way of a collision) Mele: Oh, hi, Kaspar. Kaspar: (barely able to contain his annoyance) Mele: (smiling and putting her hand on Kaspar’s arm) Hey, it’s okay. We’re all best friends, right? Nick: (approaching and giving Kaspar a hug) Nick: Good to see you, man. How’s everything going? Tash: (sitting down next to Kaspar) Tash: It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Nick: Yeah, it’s been a long time. How’s everything with you? Lexie: (sitting down next to Kaspar) Lexie: How are you, Kaspar? Kaspar: (relieved) Kaspar: I’m fine, thank you. How about you? Alex: (sitting down next to Kaspar) Alex: I’m good, thank you. How are you? Kaspar: I’m good, thank you. Mele: (finishing her phone and putting it in her bag) Mele: Let’s get going, everyone. We have a lot of ground to cover. Nick: (motioning for everyone to follow him out of the bathroom) Nick: Yeah, let’s go. We don’t want to keep Leo waiting. The group exits the bathroom, following Nick towards the door. They pause briefly to let Leo out, then continue on their way. Kaspar: (to Lexie) Kaspar: So, what are you up to these days? Lexie: I’m an actress. Kaspar: Really? What are you working on now? Lexie: I’m doing a screen test for a new movie. Kaspar: That sounds exciting. Lexie: It is. I just hope I get the part. Kaspar: (smiling) Kaspar: It sounds like you’re ready to take your career to the next level. Lexie: (smiling) Kaspar: (smiling) Kaspar: (looking around, then leaning in conspiratorially) Kaspar: I hear they’re filming a Subway commercial here in town. Lexie: (laughing) Lexie: Yeah, I bet they are. Kaspar: (smiling) Kaspar: You know, I think I’ll stop by and check out the set tomorrow. Lexie: (smiling) Lexie: That would be great, Kaspar. I’d love to see you. Kaspar: (smiling) Kaspar and the others continue on their way, discussing various topics until they reach the door of the gallery. J.B.: (motioning for everyone to stop) J.B.: Hey, everyone. I wanted to give you all a last chance to come by my gallery before it closes for the day. Kaspar: (smiling) Kaspar: I’d love to take a look, J.B. J.B.: Great. I’ll show you around. The group follows J.B. around the gallery, admiring the various pieces of art until they reach the back corner. J.B.: (motioning for everyone to stop) J.B.: Here we are, the last chance.
Kaspar: (looking around, then taking a step forward) Kaspar: (smiling) Kaspar:»You know, when I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor. I even went to a few auditions. But I was always too shy. I’d freeze up in front of the camera.« Mele: »Kaspar, you’re a natural! You just need to let go and be yourself.« Kaspar: »I don’t know. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this.« Mele: »Don’t be ridiculous! You’re amazing! Just trust me, okay?« Kaspar nods hesitantly. Mele: »Now, I’m going to put you in a little trance, and when I count to three, you’re going to be in character. Ready? One, two, three!« Kaspar:»I am not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this.« Mele: »Kaspar, you’re doing great! Just keep going!« Kaspar: »I am not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this.
I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this. I feel like I’m not really cut out for this.« Mele: »Okay, Kaspar, that’s enough. You can come out of character now.« Kaspar takes a deep breath and nods. Mele: »See? That was great! You just need to trust yourself and let go.« Kaspar nods, still looking unsure. Mele: »I promise you, Kaspar, if you just keep working at it, you’ll be a great actor.«
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Color Checker, 2022, Pigment print, Oil pastel, Yarn, UV varnish on canvas 200 x 160cm
Malte Zander, #25 Lexie & #23 Nick, 2022, Pigment print, Oil pastel, Yarn, UV varnish on canvas 200 x 160cm
Malte Zander, #11 Mele & #42 J.B., 2022, Pigment print, Oil pastel, Yarn, UV varnish on canvas 200 x 160cm
Malte Zander, #30 Kaspar + Leo, 2022, Pigment print, Oil pastel, Yarn, UV varnish on canvas 200 x 160cm
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Poster, 2022, Pigment print, Inkjet print, UV varnish on canvas 125 x 98cm
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Tash & Kaspar Hugging, 2022 Aluminum, Acrylics, UV print on canvas 125 x 98cm
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Screen Test: Tash, 2022, Laser print, Acrylics, UV varnish on canvas 125 x 98cm
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Poster Copy, 2022, Aluminum, Acrylics, UV print on canvas 125 x 98cm
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Alex on the Platform, 2022, Pigment print, Yarn, UV varnish on canvas 200 x 160cm
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Render Farm & Lillian, 2022 Pigment Print, Yarn, UV varnish on canvas 200 x 160cm
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022, exhibition view, City Galerie Wien
Malte Zander, Best Friends, 2022 Acrylics on canvas 125 x 98cm