ART MEETS DESIGN (I)

This philosophy is embodied through the works of Verónica Mar. The Spanish contemporary artist and designer, whose works represent pure beauty and functionality, seeks to represent the essence of nature and the soul through a minimum material presence. Her organic lines, as depicted in the form of painting, are the basis of all that she creates; they recall constant movement and regeneration, while taking on a light and ethereal presence. The same can be said for her design pieces, created under Mies van der Rohe’s “less is more” mindset, and aiming to integrate nature in interior spaces. Among her key values, Verónica Mar mentions “sustainability, harmony and humanism”; this way, the creative identity that she presents to the world is not just an artistic style, but also a lifestyle. A successful creative, Mar has previously exhibited her furniture works in Milan Design Week with Porcelanosa and Rossana Orlandi. For this year’s event, Espinasse31 presents a comprehensive vision of her oeuvre by showing paintings, sculptures, and sculptural furnishings within one same space. For the gallery, the adaptability of her art and design works into the living space is key, and further exemplified through a maquette; specially created for this occasion, it allows us to envision Mar’s Unity sculptures, Soul benches, and Ula furniture in marble—all within the reach of our homes.

VERONICA MAR

Unity Neeru (White), 2020

Stainless steel, lacquered in white.

200 x 50 x 40 cm (78 x 19.5 x 15.6 in).

VERONICA MAR

ULA sculptural bench

Custom and hand-made in Macael green marble.

3000 x 450 x 560 mm (118.7 x 17.7 x 22 in). 

On the opposite side of the aesthetic spectrum is Carlos Cesar Alves, fusing gestural emotion with geometric reason in his abstract works. As an achromat—living with total colour blindness—the Brazilian artist’s intense and dynamic use of colour in his paintings is impressive, not only on a visual level, but also in terms of technique. Despite the versatility among Alves’ works, the use of resin is a common element; it is this medium that the artist has truly mastered over the years, and earned him a lengthy list of awards. This creates a glossy, ceramic look on top of fascinating and complex patterns, making for a recognisable artistic style. Besides this personal quality, the artist’s abstract paintings are deeply influenced by European modernism and American colour field painting, resulting in a body of work that encompasses both expressionist and geometric variants of abstraction. In this sense, Alves depicts emotion and reason in equal parts, much like the natural split in the human brain. After years of experience in using painting as an outlet for his creativity, Carlos Cesar Alves has started a complementary furniture line, on show as part of ‘Art Meets Design’ in Espinasse31. His passion for Midcentury Modern interiors is reflected in his design pieces, which translate the elegance and uniqueness of his artworks into functional objects for the most exquisite moments of every day living. 

CARLOS CESAR ALVES

Fantasy 1, 2017

Mixed media and resin on wood.

100 x 61 cm (39 x 23.7 in).

CARLOS CESAR ALVES

Side table

A third stylistic proposition to coexisting works of art and design is that of Robi Walters. The London-based artist is focused on the ethos of transformation, with a creative identity that is reliant on the concepts of sustainability and spirituality, making his works consistent with New Age approaches to aesthetic. His mesmerising collages have captivated celebrity collectors including Thandie Newton, Usain Bolt, or Diplo, and placed him in the Telegraph’s list of top UK creatives. In 2018, Michelin-Star Chef Tom Kerridge commissioned Walters to create bespoke design work for his London restaurant. In 2020, Robi was invited by Aston Martin to become their Artist in Residence. The artist owes this exceptional success to his unique artistic practice; by constructing mixed-media pieces from recycled packagings or broken vinyls, Walters has a creative process that extends the utility of mundane items and amplifies their value. His use of such materials reflects his concerns about human consumption and sustainability; furthermore, the artist’s signature arrangement of these fragments into lotus-like forms represents his own interest in meditation, giving his vibrant works socially-charged and personal significance alike. By integrating his recycled collage works into both wall pieces and tabletops, Robi Walters proves that innovation and creativity know no bounds of material, method, or discipline.

ROBI WALTERS

Tomorrow Comes Today, 2018

Recycled card, miri card, spray paint and glue on plywood.

122 x 122 cm (47.6 x 47.6 in).

ROBI WALTERS

Bespoke table top for Kerridge's Bar & Grill at the Corinthia Hotel (London)

Recycled card, miri card, spray paint and glue on plywood.

Finally, while the Part I of ‘Art Meets Design’ focuses on artistic movement or style, the exhibition intends to leave a lasting impression of interdisciplinary beauty. This essence is reflected through an installation of sculptures by Marcello Silvestre. The Italian architect, designer and contemporary artist is known for his instantly-recognisable and enigmatic—figurative yet geometric, human but anonymous, digital plus physical—artworks. It is Silvestre’s use of architectural precision, design principles, 3D printing and artisan craft that achieves this effect. Through this final amalgam, Espinasse31 sums up its take on Milan Design Week as a contemporary art gallery in the city. Through the exhibition as a whole, Espinasse31 makes a larger point, showing how art and design offer frameworks of ethics and aesthetics. By reflecting a set of values to live by, each artist—whether through painting, sculpture, or furnishings—creates a unique form of beauty to live with.

Thomas Castiglioni
Gallery Manager
thomas@espinasse31.com

@espinasse31

@espinasse31