SOCIAL GEOMETRISM : Thresholds

About:

As an extension of Social Geometrism ( presented during the Gallery Weekend 2017 at Reinbeckhallen ), we introduce Thresholds, an exhibition hosting the work of Juan Varela and Gonzalo Reyes Araos.

Thresholds displays a set of geometrical forms based on social phenomena. These artists investigate topics related to the body, – presence, distance, physical experience -, and its encounter facing concrete or virtual spaces.

Gonzalo uses elements borrowed from the everyday means of communication, – screens, videoconference devices -, in order to share natural events on digital media. His observations amplify the relationships we maintain with spiritual experiences through the technology.

Via simple instructions accompanying his installations and site-specific modifications in the public space, Juan’s work invites the audience to experience paths in an attempt to uprise sculptural forms through the act of walking. Therefore, he re-objectifies the artwork suggesting that it is built in the act of using it.

In the main room, we find both artists in a singular dialogue. This space has been immersed in a red, blue and green colored environment falling from the ceiling. This artificial environment varnishes an x-like shape structure which invites the audience to interact with other people. Both works, make a reference to an intangible reality experimented in the daily human life. This act of placing them together disguises a dual meaning, an arrangement in which virtual and physical references meet in a single space. 

Gonzalo Reyes Araos
gonzalo-ra.net

Gonzalo Reyes Araos was born in Quilpué, Chile. He currently lives and works in Berlin. He studied Fine Arts at the School of Fine Arts of Valparaíso. He obtained several distinctions such as Special Mention in Juan Francisco Gonzalez painting prize (2005) and the first prize in the Mural Painting Competition at the Ex-Carcel Cultural Park in Valparaíso (2004). He received grants from the commission of support of book of Wallonie, Belgium (2011) and from the Council of Arts of Seoul, South Korea for an artist residency in late 2015. He has participated in several exhibitions in Germany, China, South Korea, Scotland, Belgium, Switzerland and Chile. His work can be found in public collections including Jinan Art Museum (China), Cultural Corporation of Viña del Mar (Chile), Culture House of Quillota (Chile) and in private collections in Germany, Brussels, Switzerland, South Korea and Chile. 

Juan Varela
studiojuanvarela.com

Juan Varela was born in Ourense, Spain. He currently lives and works in Berlin. He studied at MFA (Universidad Complutense de Madrid). He has obtained several distinctions, among them the Grant Leonardo, Berlin (2005), Grant Novos Valores, Spain (2006), 1st Prize at Concurso Arte Joven Latina (Sculpture), 1st prize Concurso Jóvenes Creadores, Madrid. He has been showing his work in several exhibitions in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Japan.