From April 27 to June 19 the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design (MDAD) hosts an exhibition «Fragile» of works by renowned glass artist and designer Artis Nīmanis. It will give the visitors an opportunity to learn more about the diverse and changing nature of glass, while showing the latest glass art and design objects.
Glass is a fragile, plastic and secretive material that can be used to produce traditional everyday objects, as well as innovative designs and impressive art installations of the most unusual form. The one–man show «Fragile» by the artist and designer Artis Nīmanis offers a synthesis of original objects, visual effects, lights and sounds, thus opening the door to a ritual trip through the magical world of glass. The exhibition is based on the four basic elements of the world — water, fire, earth and air, as well as how they interact. Glass is made through the interaction of all of the elements, as well. The visual nature of the exhibition is strengthened by emotionally effective and sensuous acoustic effects — the natural sounds of water, fire, earth and air.
In recent years Artis Nīmanis has increasingly turned to innovative technologies for the processing of glass. These come from the space industry and are also used for projects at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States. The artist studied the nuances and specifics of these technologies and engaged in lengthy experiments before coming up with an original technique for his art. The process involves a vacuum in which glass is covered with a very thin layer of stainless steel, thus creating a mirror effect on the surface of the glass. To ensure an even greater magic in his work, the artist particularly focuses on lighting. Broken rays of glass ensure that the surface of the glass creates additional optic and illusory combinations. The artist hopes that this will be more than just an exhibition of glass art and design objects, but also will be a space for meditation, offering visitors an experience of unique feelings and revelations.
Artis Nīmanis works in a wide range of artistic expressiveness. He designs glass objects and jewellery, and is engaged in various experimental projects, including kinetic ones. The artist has also dealt with more monumental projects such as glass design details for interiors and architectural objects, elegant stained glass windows, lighting units and skylight solutions.
In 2004 Artis Nīmanis established the glass design brand «an&angel» and continues to work as its leading designer. Some of his works for the brand are in the design collection of the Latvian National Museum of Art and will be featured in the exhibition. To find out more about the creative process, watch this FOLD film.
On May 21, during the annual Night of Museums 2016, the exhibition «Fragile» will be complimented with the performance of the interdisciplinary art studio «Ideagnosis» and will be open free of charge. The exhibition will be on show until June 19 at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Skārņu iela 10/20, Riga. More information on the exposition and its satellite events can be found on the MDAD homepage.
Viedokļi