We don’t give the humble pencil much thought these days. Whether you credit the Aztecs or the English with its invention, there is no debate that the pencil is a powerful instrument. Among others, carpenters, architects, poets and artists continue to use it. In fact it is the sole tool of artist Ricarda Hoop. She sees no reason to deviate from it. 

Ricarda’s path of discovery

Humans are at the center of Ricarda’s works. However, instead of drawing portraits, Ricarda seeks to reorder our world through the traces we leave behind. These kaleidoscopic offerings are not bound to time. They are a composite of moments and impressions that capture Ricarda’s attention. Not necessarily linear, inspirational images come from life, books, magazines, newspapers, the net….  They can be grand or simple. As Ricarda walks her path of discovery, she makes no hierarchical distinctions. Nothing is deemed valueless, or for that matter too precious .

images by Fanni Papp for PK

At first encounter, the beauty of the works is striking. Upon realizing they are in pencil, the reaction shifts to one of awe at the sheer amount of work involved. Ricarda smiles as she describes the meditative state she enters when creating the pieces. She is transported to a space where the focus is the sound, motion and tension of the graphite as it leaves its trace on the paper. The world around her dissolves. As you can imagine, they take countless hours to create, but that’s part of it. They need time to develop.

scraps of paper recreate traces of moments

Likewise, the viewer can spend endless time discovering new depths and deciphering meaning. Clues come in the form of the titles. Ricarda places pretty much equal value on the creation of them. For weeks she collects words and phrases as she encounters them. From the overflowing box lid of handwritten scraps of paper, she chooses collations that conjure visuals which are often contradictory. You can already imagine a before and after for the titles:  A landscape with no seaside village and The waterfall where nobody washed his horse (Hommage to Hosukai).

Japanese painter and printmaker Hosukai (1760 – 1849) is high on her varied list of influences. Ricarda is drawn to his use of water, which she often incorporates as well. But for me, I am drawn to the flat nature of both of their works. I am even more amazed by Ricarda’s ability to create those flat planes with pencil. You have to adjust your angle to see even the slightest of pressure marks. It is truly mesmerizing.

written by maeshelle west-davies

Ricarda is currently one of our local residents. Find out about Ricarda’s activities on her website and or in person at the following PK shows in Leipzig.

airy democratic spirituality

Alte Handelsschule.
Giesserstr 75

vernissage:
20 Aug
19.00 – 22.00

open:
21-25 Aug
12.00 -16.00

sublime generous odyssey

PILOTENKUECHE
Franz-Flemming-Str 9

vernissage:
Sat 18 Sept
19.00 – 22.00

open:
19-22 Sept
14.00 -18.00