Ernst Reijseger - Crystal Palace

Elementary Art: The Dutch composer and cellist Ernst Reijseger creates new musical sounds for the complete oeuvre of Jerry Zeniuk

The state gallery of modern art in Augsburg's Glaspalast (Crystal Palace), a branch gallery of the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, hosts in 2013 a comprehensive exhibition of the works of the German-American painter Jerry Zeniuk. In this place – inspired by a world of pictures – Ernst Reijseger records his solo programme »Crystal Palace«. The musician Ernst Reijseger and the painter Jerry Zeniuk know each other since the mid 90s. This encounter turns out to be an extraordinary constellation. Both artists deal with painting as well as music. Jerry Zeniuks connection with music is closely linked to his work as a painter. Many of his pieces are made while listening to music. Zeniuk carries the abstraction on, concentrates on the basic elements, leaves only the absolute necessary and creates new space with colours.

Ernst Reijseger originally comes from the free jazz and seems to prepare in his work the return to tonality, but he only plays with the elements of melodies, rhythms and cadences, however not in order to leave the dead end of free jazz, but to break through and continue it. Also he works with the room, concentrates on simple effects with the aim to reach his audience. Reijseger lets himself be inspired by the images. His improvisations are sensitive and tender, one can hear colours in his music. Zeniuk and Reijseger are two pioneering artists who give at the beginning of the 21st century in their works the feeling of building a bridge from the past into the presence. They are no culture revolutionists, but use the existing, pure elements of painting and music to express themselves honestly and without gimmickry.