little burn out no. 1 | 2025

oxidized
mirror polished
stainless steel

Janine Mackenroth’s series “Little Burn Out 1–4” was created for the exhibition “Reflexion” at aquabitArt Galerie in Berlin, held from April 24 to May 4, 2025. This body of work consists of four distinct steel plates, each measuring 75x50cm, meticulously crafted from mirror-polished, oxidised stainless steel. By treating the surfaces with intense heat, Mackenroth induces variations in texture and coloration, transforming the steels into reflective canvases that offer distorted and ever-changing images of the gallery’s environment and its viewers.

The interplay between mirror-polished perfection and the chemical unpredictability of oxidation evokes the concept of “burnout” — a state where underlying stress bubbles to the surface, leaving visible and unique marks. Each plate builds its own visual vocabulary, producing a different reflection and, therefore, a distinct encounter for every observer.

Through these works, Mackenroth invites introspection around themes of fragility, resilience, and the relationship between self and surroundings. The variable reflections serve as both literal and metaphorical mirrors, prompting viewers to consider their place within a shifting world — echoing the title and concept of the “Reflexion” exhibition, which interrogates transformation, upheaval, and contemplation in contemporary society.

“Little Burn Out 1–4” exemplifies how contemporary materials and processes can be harnessed to question identity, experience, and the traces we leave behind, offering a compelling meditation on burnout and reflection within the context of modern life.