Spazio Nobile: Threads of Nature

At the advent of its fifth anniversary, Spazio Nobile presents Threads of Nature, a group exhibition exploring and reflecting upon interactions between humans and the natural environment. Featuring a range of works that draw upon the respective practices of the artists involved, the exhibition demonstrates a sensitivity to the natural world, to minerality and the fundamentals of material practice.

In a choreography of gestures, of interlacing threads, the human and the planet join in a dance within a living fabric. The artworks presented in this exhibition reflect a biodiversity that underlines the richness of organic matter as a basis for artistic experimentation in cross-disciplinary practices. The arts of earth and fire are represented in bamboo-blown glass creations from Samy Rio (FR), filigree lighting and free blown vases by Philipp Weber (DE), architectural forms in molten glass by Lila Farget (FR), and shaped and glazed ceramics by Nathalie Campion (BE) and Bela Silva (PT). A subtle dialogue takes place between the wood sculptures by Ernst Gamperl (DE) and Kaspar Hamacher (BE). The braiding of ropes and cords in the multi-dimensional tapestries of Jacqueline Surdell (US) shakes up the status of textile in contemporary art, while the deep rock explored by Amy Hilton (UK) in her dry pastel mixed with sedimentary coal, recalls the excavation of the Ellora Caves in India reconciling absence and presence, the principles of emptiness, openness, immensity or infinity. Photographs or wet collodions on ferrotype plates by Jörg Bräuer (DE) also work the same magic of opening the gaze to this space/time that is ours, letting the cliffs of Iceland unfold before our eyes. The majesty of the mountain imposes itself, before which man can only bow. Sitting and looking, touching, feeling and getting in touch with the real world, while letting his soul go to a poetry of intimacy, to the emotion of getting closer to the ultimate reality. Beyond all beliefs, these ten artists capture the essence of the human being. Their works are contemplative and profound, expressive and resilient, translating the forces of this “new” world where men and women will maintain, in all conscience, a true relationship between them and especially with themselves.

With works from Jörg Bräuer, Nathalie Campion, Lila Farget, Ernst Gamperl, Kaspar Hamacher, Amy Hilton, Samy Rio, Bela Silva, Jacqueline Surdell, and Philipp Weber, Threads of Nature creates an interconnected, elemental, and multi-disciplinary topography. Ceramic pieces are juxtaposed with large-scale timber sculptures, and photographs and pastel paintings arranged along the walls of the gallery space are interspersed with tapestries. In several places, glass works are suspended from the ceiling. Throughout the space, geometric lines contrast with organic forms, detail contrasts with simplicity, and delicacy contrasts with solid matter. 

As is often the case with Spazio Nobile’s gallery practice, the represented artists do not conform to one particular style or materiality, but instead form varied and complementary associations through experimentation and cross-disciplinary practices. These associations contribute to a new ecology of thought; a material-focused choreography of gestures and interlacing threads between human and planet. 

Threads of Nature formulates various perspectives on the natural world. The bringing together of fire and earth is expressed through glass and ceramic creations. From bamboo-blown glass pieces by Samy Rio (FR), filigree lighting and free-blown vases by Philipp Weber (DE), and architectural forms in molten glass by Lila Farget (FR), to shaped and glazed ceramics by Nathalie Campion (BE) and Bela Silva (PT), these works reflect a tacit understanding of elemental materials and processes. This is furthered by the dialogue occurring between the timber sculptures of Ernst Gamperl (DE) and Kaspar Hamacher (BE). The braiding of ropes and cords in the multi-dimensional tapestries of Jacqueline Surdell (US) disrupts the expectations surrounding textile in contemporary art, while Amy Hilton (UK) explores the depths of the earth through dry pastel mixed with sedimentary coal, reconciling the principles of emptiness, openness, and infinity. The photographic works of Jörg Bräuer (DE) also open the gaze to concepts of time and space, unfolding Icelandic cliffs through the process of wet collodion on ferrotype plates. 

Within the exhibition, these works exist layered upon one another. Arranged together, they provide a means of reconnection to the natural world, a visual and tactile reforming of the elements. They are at once contemplative and expressive, fragile and resilient. Individually, they show the marks of the hand that formed them, a recognition of intention; tread lightly and look closely. 

Threads of Nature is on show at Spazio Nobile until 18.07.2021. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday, or by appointment through the website.

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