Gilbert Kleissner

alias CEDES, born on September 11, 1970, in Graz. His artist name CEDES is an acronym, short for "CElebrated DESign." The painter, conceptual artist, and actionist currently lives and works in Graz. Gallery owner Gottfried Geiger noticed Kleissner early on and supported him.
Since 2014, he has been a member of Schaumbad – freies atelierhaus graz. Gilbert Kleissner was a student and painting assistant to Professor Hermann Nitsch for several years.

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01 AVAILABLE WORKS

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03 ARTIST STATEMENT

Statement

Thoughts, attitudes, and perspectives directly from artistic practice.

"To act amidst Hermann Nitsch's "Ecstasy of the Senses" was magical and inspiring for me.

But it was important for me to detach myself and find my own way. The performative art of my total work of art, "Life Cycle," reflects this.

Performative art within a total work of art is definitely my métier! It allows me to express myself with all tools and artistic means, thus engaging all the viewer's senses. Human developmental stages, societal processes, and the permanent growth with art are central components of my art performances.

To present these four parts of the "Life Cycle" as a complete work is the beacon of my creative life. Under my life philosophy "Art-Enjoyment-Life," it is always the grand themes that drive me, and I always choose the tools and materials with which I can best express myself. I'm not interested in blood orgies; that's not necessary – I tell my own story!"

Gilbert Kleissner

04 SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Exhibitions

Selected Stations, Exhibitions, and Presentations.

2012 | Graz, Art Mile, Public Art
2013 | Graz – Activism “Spiritual Begging”
2013 | Vienna – Leopold Museum, Activism for the exhibition “Clouds”
2013 | Painting action with VS Gamlitz
2013 | Participation in activism for Hermann Nitsch's 75th Retrospective in his museum in Mistelbach and painting action “Rausch der Sinne” in Mistelbach
2014 | Activism at the premiere of Steirischer Herbst “Red Carpet” in Graz
2014 | Vienna – Inclusion in the Belvedere Archive
2014 | Vienna – Inclusion in the database “Basis Wien die Angewandte”
2014 | “KitzAward” Kitzbühel Art Prize
2015 | Graz – Steirischer Herbst, Art Action “Heritage” Cedes' art is laid to rest
2016 | Artistic resurrection as Gilbert Kleissner
2016 | Graz – MindBurn Festival, Art Installation “Rundgangerl”
2016 | Höch, Painting Activism, Public Art
2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 | Artist in Residence, Kunstquartier St. Christoph
2016 | 2019 – Public “Live Painting Performances” in Berlin, Innsbruck, Sankt Pölten, Mils bei Hall and Gmunden with Heinz Aschenbrenner
2019 | Graz, Public Art, “Spectators”
2025 | Art Activism Life Cycle Part 1 “The Awakening”
Exhibitions
Deutschlandsberg, Eisenstadt, Gmunden, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Kitzbühel, Mils, Velden, Vienna…
Barcelona, Berlin, London, Luxembourg, Milan, Malta, Pristina, Tirana, Verona, New York ...

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