Batman 2015

Albrecht Behmel created this 'Batman' using felt-tip pens on paper. The choice of felt-tip, typically associated with childhood art projects, immediately disrupts any high-art expectations. The image of Batman is composed of tiny, individual figures, packed together to form the superhero's iconic silhouette. Look closely and you can see each figure rendered in a flat, graphic style. The labor involved in creating this work is considerable; the accumulation of countless figures suggests a commentary on mass production. The use of bright, almost cartoonish colors, combined with the accessible medium of felt-tip pens, positions the work as a playful take on consumer culture, and a critique of comic book heroes. Ultimately, Behmel elevates the everyday, challenging our notions of artistic value, and blurring the boundaries between craft, design, and fine art.