23th March 2012
CAC MÁLAGA, SPAIN
Blog
-
CARLOS AIRES "OPENING NIGHT"
20, March
-
SIMON EDMONDSON " MATERIAL MATTERS" IN COURTAULD INSTITUTE, LONDON ( 20Th January)
17, January
HOSPITAL-PALACE.
Simon Edmondson 2007-2011
My idea was to recreate faithfully on canvas the space of the Prince´s quarters that we can see in Velázquez´s Las Meninas, as if the fire of 1734 had never occurred, and that the Real Alcázar de Madrid had survived into modern times, being converted into some kind of hospital or refuge. In my studio I physically recreated this part of the Real Alcázar, and simulated its lighting. Based on the surviving C17th architectural plans kept in the Vatican Library, I produced my own corresponding plans of the main room of these quarters, known at the time as the cuarto bajo del Principe. By perspective and mathematically calculated projection, I was able to locate my eye level, picture plane, view point and vanishing point, in exact relation to those employed by Velázquez. Comparing his work with the old plans, strongly suggests that he also employed some mechanical or mathematical means of rendition in the early stages of his composition. By making my version's cardinal points those of a taller viewer looking over the left-hand shoulder of Velázquez's viewer, everything in my work is seen from a slightly different angle, and this has obliged me to make my own parallel path.
My parallel version is undertaken under very similar material and technical conditions, although I have not referred very much to Las Meninasexcept for the implied presence of shutters and the ceiling roses which do not appear on the C17th plans. I have closely studied the Prado's own restoration report, written by Manuela Mena (Boletin del Museo del Prado, Tomo VI, Número 14, Mayo-Agosto 1984), and its revelations about the linen, preparation and pigments used. The execution of full and partial studies and drawings has played a vital part in this work's evolution.
I have rearranged and substituted all the figures (including the dog) with inmates and custodians of the refuge or hospital which the Real Alcázar de Madrid has become in my version. I have removed all the original furnishings, but architectural elements remain in place.
Above all, I wanted to avoid the speculative and theoretical discussions which Velázquez´s work continues to raise, trying instead to emphasize the genuine humanity of his group of figures, a view on the inevitable fragility and eventuality that envelopes the human condition. A real moment of time portrayed in an existing and documented space. This is where the richest and most honest artistic intention is to be found, something that is not often recognized about this great work but which deserves to be more widely acknowledged. In producing my own painting, I was in fact finding out more about Velázquez´s private quest in this private masterpiece.
Simon Edmondson. Madrid 2012
-
NEW EXHIBTION OF CHEMA COBO " BLOW" AT ALVARO ALCAZAR GALLERY
04, January
Since 12 of January to 25 February.
-
LUIS CANELO, GILLEM NADAL AND ANTONIO MURADO IN GEMA LLAMAZARE'S GALLERY
25, November
From 16 November to 25 February.
-
ARTE LISBOA 2011
22, November
GALERÍA ÁLVARO ALCÁZAR
STAND # 1C 17
www.artelisboa.fil.pt
-
BOSCO SODI " UBI SUNT" EN PACE GALLERY 9 December
22, November
-
THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE SUBSIDIZES ÁLVARO ALCÁZAR'S GALLERY
18, November
The Ministry of Culture of Spain throught the Cultural Promotion area gives to Álvaro Alcázar's Gallery a subsidy for the fairs Arte Lisboa '11 and MACO '11
-
SIMON EDMONDSON " BURNT DOOR WITH COLUMN" LONDRES
03, November
http://www.agentmorton.com/exhibitions.php
-
FREDERIC AMAT " FORJA "
20, October
Showing of the Frederic Amat's film " Forja".
27th October at 19:30 in Barcelona.
-
JAVIER GARCERÁ "SI EL OJO NUNCA DUERME"
18, October
OCTOBER 22th
JORGE SHIRLEY GALLERY, LISBON