ABSOLUT 365 DAYS – 5 DAYS LA ROMA

Posted on 2011-05-30

5 Days La Roma explores one of the current global creative hotspots – Mexico City and its art scene. Starting on May 24, the vibrant La Roma neighborhood will see a series of art initiatives during a five-day event including globally-acclaimed artists Rirkrit Tiravanija, Miguel Calderon, Mario Garcia Torres, Laureana Toledo, Sam Samore, and Carl Michael von Hausswolff – all presenting new works especially created for 5 Days La Roma.

The event in Mexico City is curated by Thomas Nordanstad within 365 Days – a continuous initiative where ABSOLUT explores creativity in places all over the world. The films that will be presented during 5 Days La Roma are the result of 365 Days curator Thomas Nordanstad getting in touch with the selected artists. He has given them the possibility to create
and present films and images together in a place where the art scene is currently at a peak. La Roma (Colonia Roma) in Mexico City offers galleries, institutions, architecture and people, that together have created an area that oozes creativity.
“Through 365 Days, we want to explore creativity in places where it flows, together with the people that make it happen”, says Thomas Nordanstad, curator of 365 Days. “We chose Mexico City and La Roma because it’s a place where creativity is at the edge of contemporary culture. You can really feel it.”

Opposite – Miguel Calderon

www.absolut365days.com

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JOHAN CRETEN – PLINY’S SORROW

Posted on 2011-05-30

Pliny’s Sorrow is comprised of nine enigmatic bronzes, eight of which were specifically created for the exhibition. Creten, best known for virtuosic works in kiln-fired ceramics, particularly his flowering Odore di Femmina busts in terracotta, is also a master of lost-wax foundry casting in bronze, and this ambitious exhibition provides evidence of this on an unprecedented scale.The exhibition’s title is borrowed from the largest work in the exhibition, an eagle-like bird, its giant wings stretched out and broken, its roughly hewn back hollowed out.

Opposite – Pliny’s Sorrow, Resin, bronze simulation, 2011

Exhibition runs through to July 23th, 2011

Almine Rech Gallery
20 rue de l’Abbaye
Abdijstraat
B-1050
Brussels

www.alminerech.com

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LARISSA BATES – SNAP AND GO

Posted on 2011-05-30

In her paintings a repeating cast of characters play out psychological dramas connected to families, care giving, and power. Investigation of gender roles is a central theme in these works, with a particular emphasis on social constructions of masculinity. The main protagonist of the narrative is the Mother Man character, depicted as a wrestler who embodies qualities that are very nurturing in addition to being athletic, heroic and noble. The Mother Men strive for pacifism, and often engage in wrestling with one another.

The topic of colonialism is another theme central to the paintings. Chiquita Banana Girls, who appear of the in her work, are seen carrying fruit through the landscapes. Bates is the great-granddaughter of George P. Chittenden, who was the vice president of the United Fruit Company, which controlled the banana trade in Costa Rica, from 1925 to 1932. The United Fruit Company brought schools, railroads, and industry to Costa Rica. But under complex circumstances. They implemented institutionalized racism, as workers of color were banned from the company. UFC was notorious for abusive labor practices and exploitation of the Costa Rican citizens and their land rights. As a descendant of both the colonized and the colonizers, Bates’ paintings explore the interdependence of these two groups.

Opposite – Dobbs Ferry Ladies Watching Children with Bats, 2011

Exhibition runs through to July 22nd, 2011

Galería Espacio Mínimo
Doctor Fourquet 17 & 24
28012
Madrid
Spain

www.espaciominimo.net

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