When Galerie Ra introduced Karl Fritsch’s work to the Netherlands in 1995, the reactions to this were confusing. Even I called his work ‘pleasantly suspect’. Regarding form and materials, Karl plays a mean game with stereotypes. He exposes all kinds of jewellery conventions in a humorous manner. Sometimes his jewellery leans towards historical and classical examples, but there is always a twist so that they are irrefutably contemporary and typically Karl Fritsch. The collection of rings currently being shown in Galerie Ra represent a new phase in his work, in which alienation and luxury compete with each other. The sizes are larger, the forms more extravagant and the materials more luxurious. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds cover entire structures. In this collection ‘pleasantly suspect’ has become ‘pleasantly luxurious’…

Paul Derrez

Work by Karl Fritsch can also be seen in the exhibition Geel Metalliek (Yellow Metallic), from 6 November 2004 to 30 January 2005, at the Stedelijk Museum Centraal Station, Amsterdam