Tobias Putrih graduated at the Academy of Fine Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia in 1997. Between 1997 and 1998 he studied at the Kunstakademie, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Tobias Putrih’s practice frequently deals with artworks as proposals,
maquettes, or models from existing architecture designs and ideas.
Inspired by the likes of Buckminster Fuller, Friedrich Kielser and Yona
Friedman, the artist’s materially ephemeral projects engage with
twentieth century utopian and visionary concepts of design and
architecture, realising makeshift architectural models of public spaces
such as cinemas, libraries and galleries.
Tobias Putrih’s temporary environments are made of ubiquitous, disposable and industrially manufactured materials, such as MDF, cardboard, paper, monofilaments, styrofoam and scaffolding. The artist also adopts the use of intangible materials such as soap bubble membranes, light and shadow to explore the perimeters of design, architecture and sculpture. He employs these fractured forms as well as changes in floor levels and illumination to create a narrative pathway, often placing the audience within the interiors of his sculptural installations.
Tobias Putrih is lecturer at the Faculty – Art Culture Technology – at the MIT in Boston.
