"Phönix" - Painting installation, Westphalia Mine, Ahlen, 2012

21 October - 18 November 2012
Central Machine hall of the former Westphalia Mine, Ahlen

As subproject of the art project "K60" was Nicolas Heiringhoff exhibiting at "K place" no. 35, the central machine hall of the former Westphalia Mine in Ahlen.

At the place where until 2000 coal miners' rides used to be operated, the painting installation of Nicolas Heiringhoff with the title "Phoenix" could be seen from 21 October till 18 November 2012 in the middle of the still existing machinery landscape.

The installation included 15 small and bigger sized oil paintings from the years 2011 and 2012 and carefully reacted to the room and its history. Alongside the rectangular works, round paintings were exhibited as a reference to the circular rope hauling machines. Among them some smaller sketch works were displayed that were strongly contrasting with the impressive place.

The forceful, mostly very colourful and thickly applied oil painting of Nicolas Heiringhoff interacts in a direct and emotional way with the person looking at it. Some of the abstract paintings on show brought nature, sun and vitality into the room, others were rather thought-provoking. In this historical context and in their specific composition they were all an invitation to pay closer attention to the place.