Home Magazine UNDER A LOGGIA

A collective open-air exhibition is opening today at Galería Hilario Galguera in Mexico City. Showing works by four New York-based emerging artists, the exhibition offers a fresh look at Contemporary Sculpture.

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Today, 27th April 2021, Galería Hilario Galguera in Mexico City opens its Sculpture Terrace at Calle Francisco Pimentel 3 in Colonia San Rafael, with an open-air exhibition which will stay open until the 23rd July.

The show is called ‘Under a Loggia’, borrowing the title from a fictional novel mentioned in E. M. Forster’s ‘A Room with a View’ about two lovers meeting on holiday in Italy. In the striking setting of Galería Hilario Galguera’s Sculpture Terrace, the display creates a unique, poetic and powerful encounter for those who can visit the important collective exhibition.

 

Tony Matelli’s ‘Caesar’ (2018) in ‘Under a Loggia’, 2021, Courtesy of Galería Hilario Galguera ©Galería Hilario Galguera.

 

The exhibition is curated by Winter Street Gallery based in Edgartown, Massachusetts. Founded just last year in 2020, this gallery aims to create opportunities and shine light on emerging artists based in New York and Los Angeles. The exhibition ‘Under a Loggia’ is an opportunity to showcase emerging artists in an international setting which has seen many important names, such as Damien Hirst. 

Today, with brand new and recent pieces by four New York-based emerging artists, the display includes eight sculptures and one photograph. These works are by Kayode Ojo, Al Freeman, Tony Matelli and Carl D’Alvia – four different artists but all presenting a critical view on our visual culture. Their social and historical references, central to ‘Under a Loggia’, allude to the contrasts and absurdities of the way things are seen in our society.

 

Installation shot detail of Kayode Ojo’s ‘You can’t afford her’ (2021), 2021, Courtesy of Galería Hilario Galguera ©Galería Hilario Galguera.

 

American artist of Nigerian origin, Kayode Ojo (born in Cookeville, 1990 – current) creates uncanny sculptural installations and photographs with objects which refer to the world of glam, luxury and fashion. Canadian artist Al Freeman (Toronto, 1981 – current), with another but different take on consumerism, typically works with loosely stuffed giant replicas of everyday objects, offering a humoristic view on the items we buy and surround ourselves with.

 

Carl D’Alvia’s ‘Worm’ (2016) in ‘Under a Loggia’, 2021, Courtesy of Galería Hilario Galguera ©Galería Hilario Galguera.

 

Installation shot of Kayode Ojo’s ‘Untitled’ (2021), 2021, Courtesy of Galería Hilario Galguera ©Galería Hilario Galguera.

 

The other two artists in the exhibition give more space to natural elements and features in their pieces. American artist Tony Matelli (Chicago, 1971 – current) explores the value of things and often revisits natural elements in different materials and contexts. Lastly, but just as startling as the other three is American artists Carl D’Alvia (New York, 1965 – current). He works on pieces in resin, bronze and marble and explores the geometric and figurative in his artistic practice.

The artworks of these four emerging artists are all at the centre of the stage in ‘Under a Loggia’. The works create a surreal and at the same time humorous dialogue with the visitors and contextual surroundings of the exhibition. 

A powerful yet serene show staged by the Mexican-US collaboration – a must-see for who is in Mexico City today or in the next few months.

 

Al Freeman, ‘Soft Broken Mirror’ (2021), 2021, Courtesy of Galería Hilario Galguera ©Al Feeman.

 

Cover image: Galería Hilario Galguera, Exhibition ‘Under a Loggia’ opening poster, 2021, Courtesy of Galería Hilario Galguera ©Galería Hilario Galguera.

Written by Zoë Rivas Zanello

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