IN PLANTS WE TRUST, 2021
Schwarzer Sand, weißer Sand, Blattgold, Klebestoffe, Lack auf Aluminium
world in which the avocado was crowned a superfruit at the beginning of the third millennium. This contemporary classification holds another resonant layer of the artwork.
The philosophy and ethics upon which the sculpture is based are embodied in its very title—Who Wants to Live Forever? —which alludes to the pursuit of status and wealth. Ultimately, capital and wealth convey the feeling of eternal security—an idea that can already be found in the timeless myth of King Midas and his greed for gold. Another aspect of the work’s title is the contemporary fixation on eternal youth. Established through the media’s influence in past decades, this fixation has recently been taken to extremes through social media as well as digital image manipulation. With this work, the artist traces a fascinating arc from mythologically charged antiquity to fast-moving, digitized modernity. At the same time, the artwork itself transcends the boundaries of time and becomes an homage to the resonating legacy of precious metals as well as to the avocado as the “green gold” of the 21st century.
Underlying these complex lines of thought is a meticulous process that began back in 2019. Tim Bengel, 27 years old at the time, was driven by the idea of capturing the spirit of his generation and crystallizing its
AVOCADO BAGEL
ethics within the monumental context of art. Building upon his studies of health management, Bengel created a symbiotic fusion of socio-historical aspects, transnational dependencies, and global values—transposed into
homage to the resonating legacy of precious metals as well as to the avocado as the “green gold” of the 21st century
the form of the avocado. What was initially a humble fruit of the 1980s, the avocado transformed into the nutritional status symbol and the true money-making machine that it has become today thanks to globalization and digital networking.
In homage to this symbol of his generation, the artist embarked on a creative odyssey. The result is a monumental sculpture in solid gold, a profound synthesis of diverse yet harmonious elements that embodies
Tim Bengel hat die internationale Kunstszene on- wie offline im Sturm erobert. Nun endlich erscheint die erste Monografie des jungen Ausnahmekünstlers, in der seine außergewöhnliche Kunst vorgestellt wird: zeitgeistkritisch und handwerklich herausragend, wie die Gold-Sand-Collagen, der goldene Avocado-Bagel, oder die mit nachdenklichen Sprüchen versehenen Marmorgrabsteine beweisen. Gleichzeitig gewährt Tim Bengel Einblick in seine Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema „Superkraut“. Lassen Sie sich von Werken beeindrucken, die zum Anschauen und Nachdenken einladen.
Tim Bengel has taken the international art scene by storm, both on- and offline.
Finally the first monograph of the exceptional young artist is published, presenting his extraordinary art: Zeitgeist-critical and equally outstanding in terms of craftsmanship, for example, by the gold-and-sand collages, the golden avocado bagel, or the marble gravestones including thoughtful sayings. At the same time, Tim Bengel provides insight into his exploration of the theme of ”Superkraut.“ Be impressed by works that invite you to look and think.