EXHIBITION STATEMENT
Carpenters Workshop Gallery and Marianne Boesky Gallery are pleased to announce the launch of a collaborative exhibition series this summer in Aspen, Colorado. Titled Material Alchemy, the two-part exhibition will feature a co-curated thematic selection of works from each gallery’s respective program of artists. The exhibition allows for unique artistic dialogues that extend across the realms of art and design, including artists who explore ideas of materiality and process in their work. Material Alchemy: Part I will be on view June 30 – July 23, and Part II will open August 2 – September 3, at our seasonal gallery location at 601 East Hyman Avenue.
Through this joint exhibition, the galleries will expand upon their shared commitment to fostering an ongoing engagement within Aspen’s vibrant art community. Carpenters Workshop Gallery inaugurated its seasonal exhibition space in Aspen during the summer of 2021, which featured on going exhibitions, as well as special projects and programming. Marianne Boesky Gallery launched its Aspen location in 2017 and has since transitioned its presence in Aspen to organize collaborative exhibitions as the gallery develops a new permanent space.
Material Alchemy: Part I brings together pieces that explore the continued impact of the 17th century European Baroque on contemporary art and design. The featured artworks showcase many formal elements of Baroque art and architecture, including dramatic compositions, mastery of hand-crafted techniques, lavish materials, organic forms, asymmetry, and illusionism, among others.
Leading the show is Ingrid Donat’s intricate lost wax cast Commode Skarabee, a prime example of Baroque grandeur and the artist’s commitment to the finest craftsmanship. The artwork’s burnished bronze interior against the black patinated frame creates a chiaroscuro effect- maximizing its visual presence, all while drawing upon canonical art historical references. Donat’s ornate work is complemented by Maarten Baas’ bronze Carapace Armchair, which takes inspiration from prized tortoise shells – a manifestation of the divine beauty that 17th century artisans saw in the natural world.
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