Javier Marin:
Sculpture
San Diego Museum of Art
Through March 3, 2019
Article by Cathy Breslaw
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| Javier Marín. Grupo L 1012, 2016. Polyester resin and iron wire. 188x196x40 cm. © Armando Canto / Archive Javier Marín |
Javier Marin’s installation (Little
Women and Little Men 2000-2015) of 23 polyester resin and lost wax bronze,
mixed media figures are each hung horizontally across a large (approximately)
25 foot white wall. With no particular pre-conceived plan, the museum staff
worked in concert with the artist on-site to create conversations between small
groupings of the figures. With a focus
on identity and human relationship, these are figures in motion relating to one
another through gesture and pose. Hung horizontally these 3 foot figures cast
intriguing wall shadows, appearing to defy gravity while challenging the viewer
to examine the contextual meaning of the installation. The ‘hand’ of the artist
is in each of the figures as marks, lines and crevasses pressed into the forms
are visible. The wall tableau (Group L
1012/2016) created with polyester resin and iron wire, combines parts of
male and female human forms tied together with wire that is both visible and an
integral part of this artwork. Perhaps suggesting an ominous theme of death and
destruction, Javier Marin may also be using these forms simply as physical shapes
creating a visually compelling and beautiful composition. Situated in the central rotunda, (Untitled I,II, VI 2004), created with
polyester resin and iron wire are a grouping of 3 sculptures – each a composite
of a main torso sitting upon bronze pedestals
with human body parts emerging from the heads of each torso. They are a
construction and de-construction of human forms. In the initial stages of
creating his sculptures, Javier Marin uses sourced clays from various areas of Mexico
which were also used in Pre-Columbian times.
Overall, his classical human figures historically reference the
sculpture of the Renaissance, but with additional gestural and expressive
content reflecting his take on our complex contemporary world.
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| Javier Marín. Hombrecitos y Mujercitas, 2000. Resin from polyester and bronze to the lost wax. Installation. Alberto Morago / Archive Javier Marín. |
