Second Shadow

Friedrichs Pontone is delighted to announce Second Shadow, a group exhibition featuring works by seven artists. Second Shadow explores the concept of a second shadow, or the partial light shadow cast by a summer solstice. The artworks obscure their natural representations either by existing among multiple layers or by the contrast between light and shadow, creating an obscure deeper truth about the subjects.

Emil Alzamora (Peruvian, b. 1975) approaches the creation of work in unorthodox ways. In an effort to explore the human form, both physically and psychologically, he often distorts, elongates, or deconstructs his subjects with the intention of revealing an emotional or physical truth. His paintings and his sculptures exist within the tension between the aesthetic and the conceptual. The beauty of these artworks is ultimately enhanced by the underlying meaning that is excavated from these distorted bodies, creating a dialogue between the subject's natural beauty and the beauty of Alzamora's unconventional actions.

Pablo Atchugarry’s (Uruguayan, b. 1954) powerful sculptures are based on the principle that the natural beauty of marble is enhanced if the form remains simple. His hands are guided by the marble as Atchugarry fully submits to the entropic processes of nature. The perforation of the stone materials enlivens the sculpture, imbuing the lifeless stone with its own will and essentially forcing Atchugarry to dedicate himself to creating what nature calls for.

Rado Kirov (Bulgarian, b. 1955) is a trained coppersmith. Drawing upon his knowledge of precious metals, Kirov began his artistic practice manipulating sheets of stainless steel by hand. His transformation of his materials allude to a mesmerizing infinity, where its mutatable and reflective surface is oppositional to its hard and fixed nature. Kirov’s artworks enable the viewer to engage in their visual illusions, speaking to art’s endless possibilities and constant change.

Hwang Seontae (South Korean, b. 1972) constructs light boxes using tempered glass with an LED backlight creating domestic interiors that emphasize the beauty and light of the natural world. The space within his white-out interiors is heavily contrasted by the vibrancy of nature— sparking a degree of dystopia as the seemingly empty, but clean, rooms are given life by the sun and Seontae’s mastery over light.

Kyle Barnes (Irish, b. 1986) paints portrait busts of a young woman whose face is consumed by a thick layer of paint. The viscous and creamy liquid douses the woman, creating a second skin that acts as a protective barrier between the viewer and the subject. Barnes’ flawless technique is a summation of his careful studies of human skin, surface, and texture. These considerations result in an ethereal suspended beauty, characterized by a representational actuality.

Choi Soowhan (South Korean, b. 1972) creates meticulous and immaculate works by drilling holes of various sizes in a black acrylic plate or laminate and then uses LED lights to backlight the piece. Soowhan’s technological framework for artmaking enables him to create works with extreme precision; is able to fully manipulate material and light to create texture and substance. His resounding endeavors are contrasted by the subject of his laminates–nature. The dichotomy between human-made and natural phenomena is fully explored within Soowhan’s artworks as his reliance on technological practices uplifts and heightens the beauty of the natural world.

Andrea Valsecchi (Swiss, b. 1992)  is a masterful marble sculptor who brings a unique fusion of classical artistry and contemporary culture to the world of sculpture. With his keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of form, he meticulously carves out each stitch, clasp, and embellishment, rendering the marble as soft as satin and as captivating as the most coveted accessories. His handbag sculptures, exquisite in form and cultural significance, summon viewers into a multilayered semiotic terrain where the classical meets the contemporary.