Mario Reis: From Nature to Abstraction
Fassbender Gallery, Chicago
October 20 - November 25, 2000
Fassbender Gallery's Project Room presents From Nature to Abstraction by German conceptual artist Mario Reis. Calling the final product of his artistic output 'Nature Watercolors', this artist has travelled for many years throughout the world, seeking out rivers in which to complete his ongoing artistic project. The artist floats stretched two-foot square canvases in various natural bodies of water for up to three weeks. Slowly, sediment is deposited, minerals are soaked up and pollutants settle out of the surrounding water. After collecting these canvas 'traps', the artist unstretches the works and freezes interesting results with spray adhesive.
The end results of all this process are ghostly, ethereal and often beautiful. The panels are displayed in grids to heighten their minimal qualities and draw attention to their relative color saturations. While listing the origin-river on each panel, the artist downplays any environmentalist connotations, choosing instead to highlight purely visual and sensual aspects of these artworks.
Nonetheless, by drawing attention to these quiet, earthy and restful palettes, Mario Reis has no choice but to draw attention to notions of the natural world and Arcadian splendor. Especially when viewed in an urban gallery environment, these works serve to remind the viewer of all that he or she is missing. Besides the generic 'natural' surroundings they conjure up, they additionally hint at all the exotic places their author has been. Much like the always popular travelogue, they allow us to vicariously share in Mario Reis's extensive journeys. These monochromatic and naturally pigmented artworks give concrete evidence of the endless ebb and flow of life that surrounds us all.
FASSBENDER GALLERY
835 W. Washington, Chicago, IL 60607
www.fassbendergallery.com
