Univocally, 2012

1/7 

Univocally. 

In many ways the bells project 'Univocally' is a sequel to the Pietà I 'received' for my first solo exhibition SOLO: the maker ain't so lonely as before in Het Concertgebouw in 2010. It also builts on my interest in ceramics. This series of Russian made porcelain bells is about the precarious relationship between the viewer and the maker. 'Univocally, 2012' is not just another souvenir-styled gift. The title of the project describes my artistic desire to go into an existing production. Univocally is about the different trades within one process, working together to produce a single object, driven by perhaps a single purpose. The word univocally also responds to the sound of a bell, whether or not these seven casts ever will sound in unison. Six of seven sculpted, moulded and cast pieces will be handpainted in the little workshop (in Krasnodar, Russia) in which I have worked and intiated this project, concluding a period of two motnth work, now almost a year ago. The calm and collected voice of all who participated was suddenly threatened, breaking any claimes of my utopic 'artistic' ideals. Divorce, disagreements and a threatening closure of the workshop, all endangered the precarious voice that was to enchant the viewer the moment it was finished. 

Now, almost a year later, the project is finally nearing completion. Revealing more and more of the importance to work together in unison in order to produce the desired outcome. The time it took encompassed lots of changes in the design of the bell and redefinitions of the project. What didn’t change was the title, which appeared, just like the bell, to be a beacon and a form of meditation. Just like 'SOLO' in 2010, the anticipated result of this collected effort may suprise each and everyone of us and might start a whole new story of it's own.

Univocally, 2012 is a project by Gerb95, Krasnodar and Christian van der Kaap with the support of Marina Elenskaya, connecting not only our difference in views but also the stretch in language. 

Univocally, 2012

The presentation Univocally is an investigation into the ethics of cooperation and a reflection on contemporary crafts. Finally not ambiguous and multi-interpretable title. Since my first solo exhibition (SOLO: the maker ain't so lonely as before, 2010) I have aimed to produce work conducted by others. Driven by the theme of loneliness, I have invited craftsmen to make work attributed to an insecure and unfamiliar situation. The voice of the craftsman which has become known as merely executive, is asked to reassert itselves in the arts and towards the viewer. The open dialogue between artist and maker produces an unpredictable voice that appeals to the public even though it might not be fully understood. As a result of an intimate collaboration in which I restored an old mould for a porcelain producer in Krasnodar, Russia a series of seven (of which six hand painted) bells are created. 'Univocally' expresses their understanding of the production process, where all employees are required to look in the same direction in order to deliver a successful product. Indicating my desire as an artist to enter into an existing production, we speak from one mouth and explore the form and sound of a bell. As a result, various voices inside and outside the arts together create a single presentation. A sound for those who like to relate to art but are uncertain about their contribution.

More Soon...

Evening talk 03/07: How sculpture can support us?

"Christian van der Kaap will give an evening talk on the 3rd of July 2011 from 9-10 PM in the Zolder Museum. For reservations please contact zoldermuseum@gmail.com"

http://www.zoldermuseum.com/wordpress/?p=77

When you sell the stuff you're fixing, 2011

When you sell the stuff you're fixing (sneak preview)

18/06 03/07 ZOLDER MUSEUM www.zoldermuseum.com

Opening 18/06 20:30

Special Thanks to:

_David Kaus and Denis French of the National Museum of Australia, Melbourne. For replying to my every enquiry about the 'interactive object from the indigenous section intended to give visitors some experience in using grinding stones.' (www.nma.gov.au)

_Ewa Perlejewska of Olctyn, Poland - Ceramist, Porcelain specialist

_Lanfranco Sernesi from Monaco Metropolitano of Florence, Italy. Traditional solutions to the contemporary needs of workers, students and travelers counting on the research for harmony to resolve any apparent contradiction (www.monacometropolitano.com)

_Mark Palmans from Atelier L'ombelico, Neerpelt, Belgium - Letterpress, roadsignals, cavedrawings, 3d chrome, afro art, references, contact (www.letterzetter.be)

1:21

For a little girls' first birthday

SOLO: the maker ain't so lonely as before

For my first solo exhibition after the end exam I had agreed on making a commissioned work to be exhibited for only two hours during a musical performance in the Kleine Zaal of the Concertgebouw. After struggling to live up to the expectation of my commissioner, I forwarded my assignment to an Italian craftsman in the form of an open invitation. The letter sent contained almost no indications of how the object should look or feel. The only specific requirement mentioned when I wrote: 'The object is not meant for the celebration of a particular event or happening, but it wouldn't hurt if the object shows a certain sensitivity. A lot of people may find themselves lonely, if a work in space would have no reason. '

The object finally presented was delivered one day before its exhibition by the Florentine maker Fabrizio Tani. The letter sent was published in a dedicated brochure for the exhibition (see images). That day on the stage of the Concertgebouw the commissioner, the artist, the maker and the sculpture itself, finally met each other for the first time. The work called: SOLO: the maker ain't so lonely as before

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5