Rodney Graham and the Velvet Saddle of the Wettin Princesses
Blickwechsel: Schenkung Sammlung Hoffmann / State Apartments
In the room of the State Apartments, there is a slide projector mounted on a traditional wooden sled. A distorted manner projects an image of King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s (1845–1886) ceremonial sleigh is projected onto the wall. With a note of irony, by constantly repeating the same image and by juxtaposing a splendid royal vehicle with a simple child’s sled – rife with connotations of childhood memories – artist Rodney Graham’s installation suggests, with subtle irony, that the latter could, if gazed upon intently and through the lens of a child’s imagination, turn into a royal sleigh.
- Exhibition Site Residenzschloss
- Dates 09/09/2026—04/01/2027
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Opening Hours
daily
10—17, Tuesday closed
- Admission Fees regular 18 €, reduced 13,50 €, pupils (under 20 years) 2 €, children up to school age free, groups (10 persons and more) 16 €
Graham’s artistic concept
Graham’s artistic concept is also evident in the way in which he disseminated his artwork: It could be purchased for 20 German marks through the Munich artist association Kunstverein München. For this price, you received a slide and a postcard with instructions on how to realize the work yourself. By offering his conceptual work in a large edition and at an affordable price, Graham was providing access to contemporary art in an unusual and collaborative way. At the same time, he undermines the privileged access to art and the art market and explores the relationship between material and immaterial value.
Through its exploration of the saddle for a play horse, the work addresses the themes of exclusivity and accessibility, as this saddle was once reserved for the Saxon princesses. This so-called side-saddle emerged in the late sixteenth century and remained in use until the early twentieth century, having resulted from the perceived indecency of women and girls spreading their legs, combined with the difficulty of mounting a horse in a dress or skirt. While the princes sat astride the horse, the left-handed girl’s saddle required a sideways riding position: The right thigh was placed between the two horns while the left foot would rest in the single stirrup. With this play saddle, Wettin princesses would practice the riding position that was expected of them later when they rode real horses.
In juxtaposition with Rodney Graham’s installation refers both to child’s play and to a society in which social differences are reflected in material possessions – as this manifests itself particularly in the art market and does not stop at the museum when it comes to participation.
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Blickwechsel series (change of perspective)
The Schenkung Sammlung Hoffmann enters contemporary works into a dialogue with objects from the various museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, thus opening up new perspectives and levels of meaning for both the contemporary and the historical exhibits.
