During the renewed lockdown period, the work “Tired Eyes” (2020) by Martin Groß is on display at the window front of Villa Schöningen. In a large-format plot, Martin Groß has designed a space of reflection that manifests itself between reality and dreams. Facing outward, a figure struggles to keep their tired eyes open, either to not miss anything or to be able to sleep with their eyes open. Groß’s artistic spectrum encompasses drawings, installations, and text works. In his works, the real is constituted in exchange with the imaginary. Through language, text, sound, and a strong visual component, he refers to various realities, both online and offline, as well as communication structures and their interstices.

Martin Groß (born 1984 in Plauen) lives and works in Berlin. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Leipzig and the Royal Academy of Arts in London. He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Germany and abroad, including the Kunsthalle Rostock, the Lichtparcours 2020 in Braunschweig, Kunstraum Potsdam, K11 art village of the K11 Art Foundation in Wuhan, China, CAA Art Museum Hangzhou, China, G2 Kunsthalle Leipzig, SMAC Berlin, Pipe Factory Glasgow, UK, Galerie EIGEN + ART Leipzig, EIGEN + ART Lab Berlin, Ludwig Forum Aachen, and Kunstraum Ortloff Leipzig.