The Minsk based Concept/Art/Confession Group presents the project Reconstruction N0.1 (2011), a selection of photo-objects created by Alexey Schlyk and sculptures by Anton Nichiparuk, currently shown at the Kunst Licht Photo Art Gallery in Shanghai.
These artworks filled with poignant meanings and visual features examine the primal beauty of human body and the crossover between femininity and masculinity. Although the artists call into question the concept of ‘archetype’ and the universal symbols it might entail, yet they seem more interested in what resides beyond the realm of the quintessence of human body, such as imperfection, the ordinary, the effects of the passing of time, and the dramatic nature of humanness.
By incorporating the texture of the wood into these artworks, Schlyk and Nichiparuk seek not merely to represent the male and female bodies, but to challenge our very perception of it as well as the nature of the mediums.
Moreover using wood panels is not innocent: it is indeed a reference to the tradition of icons paintings. Such reference allows the artists to transform the ordinary into unique, banal actions into sacral ceremonials. It brings flat photographs into corporeal existence, making them tangible objects. It would be erroneous to think that Reconstruction N0.1 is a panegyric on the cult of the incarnate body. Far from implying any religious commentaries, these artworks convey deep reflexions on life, death, existence and embodiment.
These artworks speak in a heterogeneous visual language: the contemporary questions of gender counter the ‘archaism’ of the techniques; the dichotomy between the softness of flesh and the roughness of the natural elements attract the viewer’s attention, who confront the subject directly.
Blending together literalism and symbolism, these close-up photo-objects and sculptures disclose traces of man and women, their strength, their fragility, their fear. Their bodies torn apart then recomposed on thick piece of wood constitute a new body, a new flesh. In the end, Reconstruction N0.1 convincingly interprets gender incongruity.
Founded in 2009 in Minks, the Concept/Art/Confession Group is a promising art group well known in Russia and Belarus who has received recently an emerging recognition in China. Its multifarious projects mingle together painting, sculpture, installation, and photograph among others. The vocation of the CAC Group: adopt a new approach to curating and creativity by joining forces with curators, authors and different artists. Although preserving high-quality execution based on traditional skills, the CAC group also experiments techniques and methods so that to find new and original art forms.
Marine Cabos
Reconstruction N0.1
October 20th – December 7th 2012
Kunst Licht Photo Art Gallery
210, North Ulumuqi Road
200040 Shanghai – China
