Vintage book parts, 31 x 29 x 5 in.
Conny Goelz Schmitt’s practice embodies a quiet negotiation between form and material. Rooted in the cutting, folding, and reassembling of vintage books, her process transforms these discarded objects into intricate geometric assemblages. By inviting chance into a rule-based system, Schmitt balances the organic with the calculated, creating tension between control and spontaneity. In doing so, she has developed a distinct visual language that redefines the boundaries of collage, reshaping the medium in innovative and unexpected ways.
Vintage book parts, 22 x 24 x 4 in.
Through geometric collages and sculptures built from vintage book parts I tell stories utilizing every part of the book except text. I play with deconstruction, reconstruction and changing dimensionality, treating the book as a time machine transporting me back to the past and into the future. Although my work may seem planned and calculated, it evolves organically within a rule-based system. This process conveys a world of adventure and surprise, providing the freedom to explore. A pursuit for balance and harmony becomes a meditation and ritual.
Vintage book parts, 17 x 19 x 5.5 in.
By treating each book like a time machine, I delve into the concept of giving new life and meaning to traditional literary materials. This approach emphasizes the idea that books can serve as a source of inspiration and illumination, guiding us towards future possibilities and opening doors to new creative horizons.
Vintage book parts, 34 x 41 x 7 in.
Vintage book parts, 24 x 22 x 8 in.
Growing up in Germany I was very influenced by the Bauhaus movement. I was very interested in geometric shapes and sculptures. When I moved to Taiwan I loved the Shan Shui paintings which reminded me of Decollage. What inspired me in America was the sculptural work of Calder and GEGO, but also paintings by Diebenkorn and Hopper.
Vintage book parts, 36 x 36 x 7 in.
Vintage book parts,16 x 16 x 5 in.
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Conny Goelz Schmitt is a German-born artist whose work transforms vintage books into intricate geometric collages and assemblages. Through a process rooted in décollage, she deconstructs these discarded materials and reassembles them into balanced compositions that invite chance within a rule-based system. Schmitt’s practice explores the tension between control and spontaneity, blending meticulous craftsmanship with an openness to the unexpected. Her work pushes the boundaries of collage by introducing dimensionality and sculptural elements, forging a distinct visual language.
Schmitt’s multicultural background, having lived in Germany, Taiwan, and the United States, deeply influences her aesthetic. She studied Sinology and German literature at Eberhard Karls University in Tuebingen, Germany, before dedicating herself to the visual arts. Her work has been exhibited internationally at venues such as Galerie Biesenbach in Cologne and The Painting Center in New York. Schmitt has earned several prestigious awards, including the Sculptor of the Year Prize from Boston University and the Best Multi-Media Prize at MIT’s List Visual Arts Center.
Out and About
What to watch, read, and experience, as curated by the Collé team.
▼ READ
How Lee Miller Out-Surrealed the Surrealists by Lauren Elkin
An artist, muse, fearless war correspondent, and professional chef, Miller looked at the world with a flair for drama—and an eye for the unexpected.
▼ VISIT
LESS FESTIVALOF CONTEMPORARY COLLAGE TRIENNALE 2024
LESS is a new festival for collage art and dialogue around it. Founded in 2020, LESS returns in a new partnership with Skovgaard Museum. Set in the historic town of Viborg, Denmark, LESS festival celebrates how art can transform our visual and urban landscapes through with radical art exhibitions.
▼ LISTEN
Modern Meta Physic by Peel Dream Magazine
Peel Dream Magazine’s 2018 debut blends dream pop, shoegaze, and Krautrock into a hypnotic mix of droning melodies and hushed vocals. Led by Joe Stevens, the album draws on 90s indie icons like Stereolab, creating a nostalgic sonic experience.