by Venessa Gromek: Jan. 4-April 20, 2013
Salt Lake City—The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art is pleased to announce a new exhibition in the Locals Only Gallery, The Sublime is Light and Easy-to-Assemble
by Venessa Gromek. The Locals Only Gallery is one manifestation of
UMOCA’s commitment to the local art community, ensuring that Utah
artists always have a presence at the museum.
Drawing
on notions of the sublime in both nature and design, Gromek’s “Tents”
series addresses the intersection of the outdoor industry with the
aesthetics of modern sculpture. Gromek reorients the purpose of a
portable shelter by complicating its basic function, as these forms are
neither enterable nor protective. Rather these porous and impenetrable
structures elicit ideas revolving around abstraction, experimentation,
and materiality, providing an innovative way to conceptualize how the
great outdoors can influence contemporary art practice.
“Tent
design has advanced drastically in the outdoor industry—what used to be
tepees and simple triangular forms are now turning into complex shapes
that are pushing the boundaries of the materials used,” said artist
Venessa Gromek. “By creating sculptures constructed of tent poles and
lace, I am countering the traditionally heavy and masculine sculpture
seen in art history,” Gromek added. “Each sculpture’s inherent
relationship to a tent contextualizes them with landscape issues, while
their form with issues related to modern sculpture; all of which are
focused on providing a level of the sublime to the viewer.”
Not
only do these sculptures conflate the line between utility and
creativity, but also between masculinity and femininity. The stretchy
lace fabric, smooth curvy lines, and delicate weightlessness of these
tents challenge the density and rough geometric forms often seen in
modernist sculpture and design. In this way, Gromek continues in the
vein of a nonfigurative style that is reminiscent of twentieth-century
artistic production, yet her sculptures also harken back to the
dichotomy between craft and fine art. Stitched pieces of colorful fabric
stretched across bending metal poles confuse the seemingly opposing
contrast of needlework and workmanship, which is also a defining element
of the artist’s work.
“Gromek
invites new ways of imagining spatial relations that intersect
histories of radical architecture with Unabomber couture,” said Aaron
Moulton, senior curator at UMOCA. “Confusing heavy-metal formalism and
the ability to pick up and go, these deceptive forms detach a viewer
from any sense of easy assembly or protection leaving a poignant address
of our own fragility in the landscape.”
Please
join us for the opening reception on Fri., Jan. 4, 7-9 p.m. There will
be a Q & A with the artist on Fri., Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. Both events
are free and open to the public.
About UMOCA
The award-winning Utah Museum of Contemporary Art exhibits groundbreaking artwork by local, national, and international artists. Four gallery spaces provide an opportunity for the community to explore the contemporary cultural landscape through UMOCA’s exhibitions, films, events, classes, and presentations.
The award-winning Utah Museum of Contemporary Art exhibits groundbreaking artwork by local, national, and international artists. Four gallery spaces provide an opportunity for the community to explore the contemporary cultural landscape through UMOCA’s exhibitions, films, events, classes, and presentations.
Founded
in 1931, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art has been recognized as
Best Museum in the State of Utah for 2011 and 2012 and is a four-time
recipient of funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation.
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