Magical World of Giant Flowers Inspired by the Elaborate Mating Rituals of Bowerbirds
By Jessica Stewart on September 12, 2020
Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj has created a fantastical, yet deeply personal, installation for his first solo exhibition at the Reina Sofía's Palacio de Cristal in Madrid. Inspired by the elaborate courtship rituals of bowerbirds, who are known for decorating structures to attract a mate, he's strung up enormous flowers inside the glass conservatory.
Largescale Installation by Petrit Halilaj
코소바르 예술가인 페트리트 할릴라즈는 마드리드에서 열리는 레이나 소피아 팔라시오 데 크리스탈에서 열리는 첫 개인전을 위해 환상적이면서도 깊이 있는 설치물을 만들었다. 짝을 끌어들이기 위해 구조물을 꾸미는 것으로 유명한 바우어새들의 정교한 구애 의식에서 영감을 받아 그는 유리 온실 안에 거대한 꽃을 꽂았다.
할릴라의 작품은 종종 가정, 국가, 사랑, 문화적 정체성의 주제를 다룬다. 이번에는 예술가가 자연을 이용해 고도로 개인적인 이야기를 구성한다. 지붕에 매달린 커다란 개나리, 야자수씨, 벚꽃, 양귀비, 카네이션, 백합꽃 등은 할릴라의 인생 파트너인 알바로 우르바노와 협력하여 강철과 캔버스로 조성되었다.
Halilaj's work often tackles themes of home, nation, love, and cultural identity. The show, titled To a raven and the hurricanes which bring back smells of humans in love from unknown places, is no different. This time, the artist uses nature to construct a highly personal narrative. The large forsythia, palm seeds, cherry blossom, poppy, carnation, and lily flowers that dangle from the roof were constructed from steel and canvas in collaboration with Halilaj's life partner, Álvaro Urbano.
“I wanted to conceive Palacio de Cristal as a place for the celebration of love,” Halilaj declared. And by publicly demonstrating their love, the couple is making a big statement about acceptance, particularly when neither the artist's family nor Kosovar society fully embraces them. This call for acceptance also extends to the artist's own nation, as Kosovo is not a fully recognized state. In fact, Spain does not recognize Kosovo and is one of its biggest opponents in entering the European Union.
As a secondary concept, the nesting space that Halilaj has created within the Palacio de Cristal is tied to its environment. It cannot be separated from its surroundings and together they function as a whole. By opening windows and setting up feeding areas for birds to enter the space, he blends indoors and outdoors seamlessly. And by inviting viewers to wander among the enormous structures, he asks them to consider their own place in nature.
Halilaj's exhibition is the first to open at the Reina Sofía since its COVID-19 closure. In fact, the pandemic disrupted the installation of the show. But now, after opening in July, the world will have until February 28, 2021, to take in the work and contemplate this magical space.
For his first solo show in Spain, Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj installed enormous flowers at the Palacio de Cristal.
The exhibition, which is on view until February 2021, is a commentary on love, identity, and acceptance.
Petrit Halilaj - To a raven and hurricanes that from unknown places bring back smells of humans in lovePetrit Halilaj - To a raven and hurricanes that from unknown places bring back smells of humans in loveFlower Installation by Petrit HalilajPetrit Halilaj at the Palacio de CristalPetrit Halilaj at the Palacio de Cristal
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía: Website | Instagram | Facebook
All photos via ImagenSubliminal (Miguel de Guzmán and Rocío Romero). My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
mymodernmet.com
kcontents
최근댓글