“every aesthetic manifestation forms, one way or another, a significant part of human sensitivity” L.M.
The BASE, from Daniel Maranhão, inaugurates a exhibition “Steps to the Past”, from the multimedia artist Luiz Martins, with critical text by Agnaldo Farias.
The show consists of 21 unpublished works developed in the last ten years, on paper, canvas and marble, resulting from his research in archaeological sites in the Northeast, Midwest and South of Brazil. The opening is the day 17 June – Saturday – at 12 pm.
Luiz Martins returns to investigate the graphic traces of indigenous peoples as a primordial iconographic source for his Ingá series, offering a free visual reading without trying to interpret their meanings. In paintings, uses acrylic paint in classic tone and color combinations as the main body, overlapping circular watercolor masses. The dynamics of graphics is present, but not decisive, making forms present themselves during the construction of colors established by a plastic tradition, as explained by the artist. For him, this meeting is a succession of mismatches in the aesthetic and formal elaboration of each work with freedom of transformation.
The work of Luiz Martins challenges the viewer with visual and conceptual puzzles. His sculptures of light marble and dark granite discs, perforated and supported by circular wooden rods, arouse curiosity. These discs don't just stand up, but also suggest the possibility of rolling on its axis, leaving ruts in a soft ground. “What sculpture/gear is this, proposal by the artist? Would be related to a millstone, with the face of a clock?”, Adds Agnaldo Farias.
To Daniel Maranhão, “the use of marble by the artist is an unfolding of the immense sculpture executed in 2022, opportunity in which Luiz Martins installed a work in a public square, in Portugal (an order from the Portuguese government, to honor the 500 years of the discovery of Brazil). For both, Martins made use of a marble monoblock with about 4 tons. At the opening show, the marble and granite come back to your research.”.
Beyond the circular sculptures, the show features paintings and collages exploring irregular shapes, flattened and fragmented, evoking ancient objects like boat rudders, scythes and hoes. Some works present these isolated spells on a large scale., while others make up a collection of shapes, resembling a catalog of invented wonders. A large blue painting stands out, with a suspended horizon crossed by reticles, totems and monoliths, raising questions about its purpose and meaning. Duality is also present in paintings with hand-drawn circles., creating an illusion of embryonic stage geometry, challenging perception and notions of order and form. The enigmatic and intriguing art of Luiz Martins invites you to explore the mysteries of the unknown, reflecting on the complexities of existence and creation.
Second Daniel Maranhão, responsible for the expography and curation of the works, “The show occupies the two floors of the BASE. In addition to the seriesinga’, prevalent in the exhibition, add up to two unpublished sets of the series 'Carolina Maria de Jesus' which are expandable works that allow for different assemblies and a large polyptych of 46 parts, of the already consecrated seriesIt's not in the dictionary’”.
“The works of Luiz Martins lead us to think that the birth of language implies the birth of the world, both in the representation of existing things and in the prefiguration of non-existent ones, of those to be invented or perfected.” Agnaldo Farias
Exhibition: “Steps to the Past“
Artist: Luiz Martins
Critical Text: Agnaldo Farias
Artistic Coordination: Daniel Maranhão
Assembly: Harpy Design and Productions
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Opening: 17 June – Saturday – 12 noon
Period: from 20 from June to 05 August 2023
Time: from Tuesday to Friday, from 11am to 7pm; Saturday, from 11am to 3pm.
Local: BASE gallery
Address: Al Franca 1030, Jardim Paulista || 01422-002 | São Paulo, SP
Phone: (11) 3062 6230 || Whatsapp (11) 98327 9775
E-mail: contato@galeriabase.com.br
WebSite: www.galeriabase.com
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Number of works: 21
Technique: works on paper (acrylic and/or ink), 1 canvas and marble sculptures
Dimensions: varied
Press Office – Silvia Balady | Tel.: (11) 99117.7324 – silvia@balady.com.br
Luiz Martins (Machacalis, MG)
Luiz Martins is of indigenous origin on his father's side, being the son of a black mother. He lived with the Indians of his tribe, the Maxacalis to the 17 years, when he moved to São Paulo, to attend the Faculty of Fine Arts of São Paulo. Exhibited for the first time in 1996, at the Casper Líbero Foundation, curated by Professor Walter Zanini.
From then, integrates several individual and collective exhibitions in Brazil and abroad such as Poland, Lithuania, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Austria and Japan. Since 2008 maintains a permanent studio in the city of Vienna, with Venezuelan artist Gustavo Mendez. It currently has 3 published books and their works are part of important collections, like MAC USP.
