Gilbert Kleissner

Gilbert Kleissner alias CEDES, born on September 11, 1970 in Graz.
His artist name CEDES is an acronym, an abbreviation for "CElebrated DESign".
The painter, conceptual artist and actionist currently lives and works in Graz.
The gallery owner Gottfried Geiger became aware of Kleissner very early on and promoted him.
Member of Schaumbad – freies atelierhaus graz since 2014.
Gilbert Kleissner was a student and painting assistant of Prof. Hermann Nitsch for several years.

Gilbert's artworks
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Statement

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

But it was important for me to break away and find my own path. The activism surrounding my Gesamtkunstwerk "Life Cycle" reflects this.

Actionism within the context of a total work of art is definitely my forte! It allows me to express myself using all tools and artistic means, thus appealing to all the viewer's senses. Human developmental stages, social processes, and the continuous growth inherent in art are key components of my artistic actions.

Presenting these four parts of the "life cycle" as a complete work is the guiding light of my creative journey. My philosophy of life, "Art-Pleasure-Life," is always driven by the big themes, and I always choose the tools and materials with which I can best express myself. It's not about bloodshed for me, that's not necessary – I'm telling my own story!

Gilbert Kleissner
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Exhibitions

2012 | Graz, Art Mile, Art in public space
2013 | Graz – Activism “spiritual begging”
2013 | Vienna – Leopold Museum, Actionism for the exhibition “Clouds”
2013 | Painting project with the Gamlitz Elementary School
2013 | Participation in the activism for Hermann Nitsch's 75th retrospective at his museum in Mistelbach and painting action "Rausch der Sinne" (Ecstasy of the Senses) in Mistelbach
2014 | Activism at the premiere of the Styrian Autumn festival "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 – Styrian Autumn Festival, art project “Heritage” The art of Cedes is laid to rest.
2016 | Artistic resurrection as Gilbert Kleissner
2016 | Graz – MindBurn Festival, art installation “Rundgangerl”
2016 | Höch, Malaktionismus, Art in public space
2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 | Artist in Residence, St. Christoph Art Quarter
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 Actionism 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...