Group show
Vertigo, dizziness when two forces collide. In this new exhibition, Venice Projects challenges visitors to balance the visual force of artful beauty against the conceptual research behind the works. Each of the four contemporary artists represented in this summer show, creatively express a strong message stimulating the thought process in the eyes of the beholder.
Charlotte Hodes: Charlotte Hodes, a graduate and recipient of numerous awards from London, has embraced as her central theme the visual depiction of the female figure, which she ties to the internal sensitivity and psyche of women. Her artistic research is inspired by decorative arts of the XVIII and XIX centuries, causing her to revisit women of that era through her contemporary paintings and sculptures. Juxtaposing new and traditional techniques, utilizing clay, glass, canvas, collage, scissors, glue, computers, she powerfully describes the complexity inherent in women.
Marya Kazoun: The Lebanese-Canadian artist, Marya Kazoun, was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1976. Her works are feminine, almost mystical: time and patience are sine qua non, inexorable conditions to their creation. Her imaginary space is woven and laced with beads, threads, plastic, bamboos, bones and glass. She creates structures and shapes at once disquieting and beautiful, sewing sculpture-like dresses that she herself wears during her performances, which are the final completion of her artistic creative process. The tragic look of her creations stands for that immaterial place where the outside world meets the inner world, a representation of the emotional personal space hidden in each and every one of us.
Massimo Lunardon: Working with borosilicate glass, this Italian designer-artist shapes unusual "esseri" creatures, with rounded bodies, elongated limbs, and curious inquiring eyes. With their mirrored delicate glass-skin reflective quality, the artist asks us to think about our inner human nature, and the fragility of our existence. Seemingly vulnerable and frail, but actually strong and everlasting, the aliens question our internal forces of weakness versus strength. Working closely with architects and designers, Massimo Lunardon, aims at bringing together art and design while evoking a subliminal message.
Koen Vanmechelen: Vertigo abounds from Koen Vanmechelen's artistic expression of questions, many of which he knows are unanswerable. The subjects of his borderless quest are heterogeneous; they range from racism to globalization, including the meaning of species versus individuals. Chickens and eggs, essential subjects of his work, are metaphors for his inquiries and statements. His eclectic vision is depicted via videos, photographs, installations, paintings, drawings, sculptures utilizing different techniques and materials, especially glass.
Information
Show: Vertigo 2 | Artists: Charlotte Hodes, Marya Kazoun, Massimo Lunardon, Koen Vanmechelen
Location: Venice Projects, Dorsoduro 868, 30123 Venice
Dates: August 12th September 30th 2010
Hours: everyday from 10 am to 6 pm
