I personally like the combination of the clear and often geometrical shapes, which are always slightly disturbed by something imperfect. This disturbance is far from coincidence – on the contrary these interventions are very controlled. Like watercolor swirling in limited areas. Like the structure of the cardboard from which the top skin has been ripped of. Like drops of spraypaint running down from one of the oval eyes.

The most drastic subjects are subdued by this sensitive perfectionism. Vaginas, Bimbos, Hitlers, monsters, sex, birth and death, everything is treated with tender care. And often with a fair dose of humor. Somehow it’s funny when a Hitler-puppet’s pubic hair has the same shape as his famous beard. Or when it’s inverted: The dictator with white hair and a black face, wearing a green brassard with a white swastika. And having genitals, like all Hoppek-puppets.They are stylized but natural. Nothing is surpressed.

When the evening of the exhibition opening arrived, the huge sculpture was finished and all the rest of the cardboard was removed from the artspace. Visitors and friends were passing through the woman’s openings. The gallery staff and the artist’s tension disappeared at last and everyone relaxed. Since it was Heliumcowboy Artspace’s 4th anniversary, there was champain for free and Kukusina Portnova’s wonderful music added to a sophisticated atmosphere. As the night proceeded and only very few visitors were left, everyone was getting very drunk and the atmosphere was getting slightly less sophisitcated but more hilarious. In the morning everyone reeled home happily.

Boris Hoppek “I won’t fuck with you tonight!”
Date: March 31st – May 25th, 2007
Place: Heliumcowboy Artspace
Address: 4 Sternstraße, 20357 Hamburg
https://www.heliumcoboy.com