Thomas Bayrle isn’t especially well-known in the US, but that’s no measure of anyone or anything, and especially not Thomas. I don’t have the time right this second to talk about how important his work is, but I can say that it’s awfully important to me.
In the 90’s, when I lived in Germany, Thomas was my professor, mentor, and friend, in that rough sequence. How he speaks in this video: that’s how he speaks, and it took me a while to understand how to listen. I’ve learned so much from him.
I haven’t seen him in years, and I’m not 100% sure I’m going to make it to Documenta, but I hope to. And if you go, be sure to see these works, which are just about impossible to see any other way.
