Eckart Hahn | Götterfunken
Press Release
Pablo’s Birthday is pleased to present, by alternative means, what would have been Eckart Hahn’s eighth solo show with the gallery. In his new works, and coinciding with the current worldwide hiatus, Hahn has been greatly inspired by the poem "Ode to Joy" ("An die Freude")dated 1785, written by the German poet, playwright, and historian Friedrich Schiller. Ode to Joy conveys a sense of hope by enthusiastically celebrating the comradely of all humankind and the unifying forces of joy.
In the new collection of paintings, Hahn combines elements of his own personal narrative with the feelings of hopefulness evoked by the poem. By featuring animals as his subjects, we are reminded of the immense power of nature–essential reference to the ethos of the artist's practice. His pieces give agency to the natural world which is so often pillaged by humanity.
The surrealist imagery of his works provides a juxtaposition of Hahn’s hyper-realistic painting style, with his technical mastery on full display. The impossible, dream-like situations introduce cognitive dissonance that coaxes the viewer into a search for meaning.
In Hahn’s re-visitation of the ode—life and art transcend the limitations of any given moment in human history. Using animals as a representation of life itself, Hahn cultivates a similar celebration of joy in his work that is proclaimed in “Ode to Joy”.
“An die Freude” (Ode to Joy), 1785
by Friedrich Schiller
Freude, Schöner Götterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuer-trunken,
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Deine Zauber binden wieder,
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
Alle Menschen werden Brüder,
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.
Wem der grosse Wurf gelungen,
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein,
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
Mische seinen Jubel ein!
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!
Freude trinken alle Wesen
An den Brüsten der Natur;
Alle Guten, alle Bösen
Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.
Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
Durch des Himmels Prächt'gen Plan,
Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn,
Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.
Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
Diesen Kuss der ganzen Welt!
Brüder über'm Sternenzelt
Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.
Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?
Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?
Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt!
Über Sternen muss er wohnen.
Joy! A spark of fire from heaven,
Daughter from Elysium,
Drunk with fire we dare to enter,
Holy One, inside your shrine.
Your magic power binds together,
What we by custom wrench apart,
All men will emerge as brothers,
Where you rest your gentle wings.
If you've mastered that great challenge:
Giving friendship to a friend,
If you've earned a steadfast woman,
Celebrate your joy with us!
Join if in the whole wide world there's
Just one soul to call your own!
He who's failed must steal away,
shedding tears as he departs.
All creation drinks with pleasure,
Drinks at Mother Nature's breast;
All the just, and all the evil,
Follow down her rosy path.
Kisses she bestowed, and grape wine,
Friendship true, proved e'en in death;
Every worm knows nature's pleasure,
Every cherub meets his God.
Gladly, like the planets flying
True to heaven's mighty plan,
Brothers, run your course now,
Happy as a knight in victory.
Be embracéd, all you millions,
Share this kiss with all the world!
Way above the stars, brothers,
There must live a loving father.
Do you kneel down low, you millions?
Do you see your maker, world?
Search for Him above the stars,
Above the stars he must be living.