An artistic dialogue between the geometry of nature and materials like wood and rice paper is that which is being presented in Cero Gallery by the Bogota artist Germán Bernal (1959), in his exhibition ‘Symmetry’ of Memory.
After living for 25 years in Europe, Bernal decided to return to Colombia a few years ago, specifically to a reservation near Icononzo (Tolima), where he created a space for artist residences for those artists interested in working with nature.
“In my work I am evoking, somehow, the memory of nature and materials. And I use geometry as a language of knowledge, “says the artist, who trained as a photographer in Workshop 5 and then continued working in Europe with video techniques and jewelry.
The exhibition presents works of medium format in which geometric figures are worked in mixed media using recycled Japanese books of poetry, history and geometry papers and paper currency, in a clear allusion to the ancient wisdom of the East.
“I’ve always been inspired by Japanese aesthetics. I think we have much to learn from them. So I started working this series with Japanese writing paper, because I think that the handwriting has great mystery and magic” notes the artist.
In his wood sculptures, made from walnut, Bernal also returns to the experience gained of being a craft jeweler during many years in Hamburg.
Not surprisingly, he defines some of his works as ‘light clocks’, inspired by the careful assembly of a jewel in large format. It is curious how they change according to the perception of the viewer. “Somehow they deal with kinetic art, this being my updated proposal in wood” he says.
In his sculpture, Bernal reflect particular concern about their movement. “They are inspired by geometry, but here is a more organic form that evokes water waves and sound,” he concludes.
The exhibition runs until the first of December.
Cero gallery, Calle 80 n. ° 12-55, Bogotá
Inf .: (1) 217-7698 www.cerogaleria.com
Translated from an original article in ElTiempo.com written on 22nd November 2015
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