To the table! Dinner is ready”. The moment we sit down at the table, it divides the human body into two halves. The upper half is visible to everyone present, while the lower half remains hidden from view. Above, communication unfolds through facial expressions, speech, actions and posture, accompanied by eating and drinking, while below, a different conversation begins. Beneath the tabletop, we encounter restless legs, fingers drumming nervously and small gestures – perhaps even an occasional gentle kick – which often reveals more than words ever could. One might sense the wagging of a dog’s tail or stumble upon the empty shells of past conversations lying like crumbs between the chair legs. Whatever we find there, it is another space and another universe within the same reality. The title Under the Table Is Above represents a poetic and metaphorical exploration of what lies beneath the visible surface. This hidden realm is a counterpart to the visible world, resembling a secret landscape where the private and the public overlap, offering a fresh perspective on the ordinary. When the hidden is observed, it reveals itself and becomes open to transformation.
The collaborative work of the artist duo Monika Deimling and BBB Johannes Deimling is an ongoing dialogue about the subtle moments of existence. From these daily observations emerge works that translate moments that are difficult to express into visible forms. With a blend of serious humor, subtle absurdity and an attentive awareness of the small and inconspicuous, the Dresden-based artist couple craft a world where the ordinary reveals its inherent beauty and uniqueness.
Further Information:
Monika Deimling: https://monikadeimling.com
BBB Johannes Deimling: https://bbbjohannesdeimling.de
PAS (Performance Art Studies): https://performanceartstudies.com