By exploring the common threads between a range of cultures’ belief systems and creation myths that connect alternate yet related narratives which all seek to justify the "human condition" and the search for meaning within this. The relation in this journey is through an immersive installation of free-standing sculptures and a series of 7 paintings depicting moments of Materia Prima, metamorphosis and evolution, death of the earthly body, ascendance, and the afterlife.
"GENESIS IN THE RETORT", is derived from the alchemical text 'Elementa chemicae' by Professor J.C Barchusen, in which there are parallels between the creative process and the search for the Eternal Spirit (also referred to as the Philosopher's Stone). They propose that creativity itself often being a muddy mixture of intuition, haphazardness and chance with moments of clarifying thoughts shares many parallels with the processes of distilling tinctures and catalyzing elements in the Alchemists studio.
This exhibition is more than a presentation—it is a rite of passage crafted through meticulous collaboration. All aspects of the event—from the conceptual foundation, and creation of the art pieces to the design of flyers, publicity, collaboration with the art community of Querétaro , and online digital publication—This event, have been carefully orchestrated by the artists Melissa from Colombia and Ben from UK, forming an integrative act of artistic and curatorial process.
This exhibition is more than a presentation—it is a rite of passage crafted through meticulous collaboration. All aspects of the event—from the conceptual foundation, and creation of the art pieces to the design of flyers, publicity, collaboration with the art community of Querétaro , and online digital publication—This event, have been carefully orchestrated by the artists Melissa from Colombia and Ben from UK, forming an integrative act of artistic and curatorial process.
The final artworks are a syncretic mix of aesthetics and images taken from each of these referents, although seemingly diverse, their underlying narrative with a synthesis of recurring motifs and overall aesthetic brings the entire exhibition together. The paintings and sculptures are in conversation with one another creating a dialogue between the depicted and the material. Whilst the sculptures are totemic in nature and appear antiquated, they act as fetish or ritual objects built for the purpose of the exhibition and made with an adaptation of a technique most commonly called ‘Rammed Earth’ which can be destroyed and recycled back into the earth or to create new pieces at another time.
More information about the artists:
Melissa Aristizábal artist profile
Benjamin Stephenson artist profile
Melissa Aristizábal artist profile
Benjamin Stephenson artist profile