If you are near Wynwood, and you are a lover of good art, you should make a stop at "N'Namdi Contemporary Gallery". There you will discover a fascinating exhibition of American artist (based in Chicago) Eric Stephenson, which is titled "Moments of Gravity".
The show is composed of sculptures and drawings of medium and large format, in which the artist uses materials like welded stainless steel, aluminum, cast bronze, graphite on paper, among others. The main theme revolves around the human body, especially its anatomy, its relationship with movement and gravity, its eroticism. They are, in many cases, dancing bodies, which exhibit strong movements, contortions, falls, flight. Sometimes these movements seem as frozen in time, as if it were a frame extracted from a film.
Usually we can observe sharp and bombastic angles as well as
multiple and decentered perspectives. Hence the aesthetics of the artist drinks
largely from the cubist art tradition. In another vein, the artist is very
interested in investigating the relationship between man and machine, man and
industrialization, present and future time. His figures seem androids belonging
to a future time, a time in which maybe man will be dehumanized to the point of
merging with the technological/industrial universe.
That is perhaps the greatest charm of this exhibition: probably the artist alerts us about the dehumanization and loss of spiritual values in contemporary societies. His men-machines, which sometimes resemble origami toys transmuted into metal, maybe have a great mission to accomplish: to make us aware of the world in which we live, and the danger of losing our identity because of the industrial, technological and digital avalanche that we are experiencing. Beautiful message, undoubtedly.
Sometimes, in front of the artist's works it is difficult
to realize if the figure represented
is male or female. There is some ambiguity or sexual ambivalence in the
artist's works. Which is interesting as gesture: probably the artist tries to
speak of human beings in a broad sense, beyond gender or biological sex. It is
an issue that concerns all of us, regardless of distinctions.Eric Stephenson has a great artistic experience both as an artist and as a teacher; he holds significant awards and a great impact within the American cultural scene. This exhibition at N'Namdi Contemporary Gallery, with its beautiful bright metal sculptures and wonderful drawings, is a proof of the unquestionable talent of the artist, as well as the value and importance of his art. So do not miss it! N'Namdi Contemporary Gallery, 177 NW 23 Street, Miami. The invitation is already done!
