Nothing is as it seems, nothing is calculable when the kingdom of fantasy reigns. A feline structure of pink plush, standing in the space like a tunnel. grandfather clocks that are guarded by wooden figures, a wobbly tower of building blocks, a false window whose curtains sad or cheerful, marionettes and Punch and Judy characters alternately appear – the installations by Claus Richter (*1971, living in Cologne), are walk-on stage images; dioramas of a world that does not dispel the magic but rather wants to be brought to life. Formally, one hears the “walking on, walking off” of the entertainers, which draws one’s attention and sets the dynamics of the imagination in motion. Promises and calls on signs, posters and invitation cards often form part of Richter’s works. They extol magical and mysterious miracles or entice in very specific terms with memories of the world of childhood toys. Fantasy breaths life and potential into the objects beyond their current, everyday lives. Follies appear more plausible here and question one-dimensional principles. However, Richter’s narrations always contain references to the subtle abysses, in which such fantasies solidify into functional resources for other purposes.