Hartlaub and family at Electro Studios
STEWART RAYMENT
Although Daniel Hartlaub’s main practice is in Germany, s a familiar artist locally. He has exhibited here in group or solo shows over the last few years, typically in the company of equally familiar musicians. His 2025 visit for an exhibition at the Electric Studios, Lights, All Awry In The Sky,has had the added attraction of including work by his uncle, Felix Hartlaub, who died in Germany in the last three days of World War II.
The work of Felix Hartlaub was exhibited in the form of a graphic novel, and projected continuously, each page merging in and out to the next. Drawn at the astonishingly young age of 13, in German Expressionist style, it’s effectively a journey through life. Felix, a civil servant, disappeared after being called up late in the final days of World War II.
The darkness of Felix’s tale mirrors Daniel’s own work, some of which was also created for book illustration, linking us straight back to Nazi Germany. Surprising as it may seem, there were many within the German police force opposed to Hitler, some taking part in the ill-fated Operation Valkyrie. However, whilst Hartlaub chooses to work in black and white for his prints, some of them are of a much lighter nature; his Fencer is particularly fine.
Aside from Felix’s graphic novel, other projections overlaid the various musical escapades accompanying the show, some by Hartlaub, others by Mr Exploding Cinema (and HIP cartoonist) Duncan Reekie. There was a family feel to these as musicians from various ensembles regrouped between Friday and Saturday evenings. Necessary Animals, Amanda Thompson, Keith Rodway, Kath Allsopp, Hutch Demouilpied (trumpet), played new music for the event. They were followed by Simon and the Pope, (Simon Charterton, percussion and John Pope, guitar), A.K.A., and Nick Weekes (Jury Service).
Daniel Hartlaub’s Lights, All Awry In The Sky was shown at Electro Studios, Seaside Road, on 13 and 14 May 2025
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