It is a rare and mind jerking experience to bump into iconic figures. A random encounter in the Hundred Years Gallery allowed me the pleasure of meetingan artist whose career has spanned five decades. Angel Orensanz is one of Spain’s most prolific artists, creating installations and sculptures around the world. Anyone that has stepped off a plane at Barcelona’s El Prat airport or
traversed its subway system has seen Orensanz’ work, which has become an integral part of Spain’s landscape. And having witnessed his art first hand, it was a pleasure to finally meet the man in person.
Although language was a barrier, he exudes his passion for art. On first introduction he seems a quiet almost taciturn man, yet once engaged in a conversation about his work his vigour for aesthetics becomes apparent. His calm demeanour turns into an animated explanation of form and structure.
I had the pleasure of spending an hour pondering his work through a whirlwind of eccentric gesturing. A painter, sculptor and performance artist, Orensanz’ work is the creation of landscape within landscape, bringing synthetic aesthetics to the natural world harmoniously.
In Orensanz’ own words; ‘These are things, not ideas, remembrances ofdreams. They are objectual elements, made mostly for practical purpose and that survive a use or specific application. Once their life expectancy fades away, they cease to exist as what their original destination was supposed to be. They acquire other meanings, uses or destination.’
Also currently showing at the Hundred Years Gallery is ‘Beijing Olympics 2008’ by Carlos González, documenting the fallout from the games in China. Part of the ‘Failure’ series, this is a harrowing, vaguely apocalyptic view of post games fervour. González highlights the perils of the boom and bust of hosting the world. With visuals from Antonio Mena, resident photographer at the gallery, ‘Failure’ provides a bleak escape from the national obsession with London 2012.
The Hundred Years Gallery will host three weeks of cultural and artistic alternatives to the games, starting with a night of visual, audio and kinaesthetic art called the ‘Apocalympics’ to rival the opening ceremony. Calling on artists to be a part of the exhibition, the gallery will be a hotbed of emerging and established global talent and may provide welcome relief from the Olympic pandemonium.
http://www.hundredyearsgallery.com/
Angel Orensanz – www.angelorensanz.com
Carlos González – www.carlosphotography.com
Hundred Years Gallery – www.hundredyearsgallery.com
