Nairy Baghramian's 'Modèle Vivant' at kurimanzutto, Mexico City
Nairy Baghramian’s newest show, titled 'Modèle Vivant', is running at kurimanzutto in Mexico City from February 11 to March 18, 2023. The French name means 'live model', referencing the age-old practice of depicting real figures in art. However, her abstract sculptures twist this idea by not directly representing any physical form. This exhibit follows her previous showcase at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, where her works were paired with historical sculptures. At kurimanzutto, she presents twelve abstract pieces alongside creations by four influential Mexican artists: Geles Cabrera, Elizabeth Catlett, Helen Escobedo, and Ángela Gurría. Each sculpture suggests human traits through their poses, and the use of verbs like 'S'éloignant' and 'S'allongeant' emphasizes the dynamic between the viewer and the artwork. The six 'S'accrochant' pieces, suspended from hooks, bring to mind a slaughterhouse, yet the verbs suggest the sculptures have their own agency.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Modèle Vivant' runs February 11 to March 18, 2023 at kurimanzutto, Mexico City.
- Nairy Baghramian presents her second exhibition at kurimanzutto.
- Title 'Modèle Vivant' is French for 'live model'.
- The exhibition first debuted at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas.
- Baghramian's abstract sculptures are shown alongside works by Geles Cabrera, Elizabeth Catlett, Helen Escobedo, and Ángela Gurría.
- Each sculpture is named with a reflexive verb (e.g., 'S'éloignant', 'S'allongeant', 'S'accrochant').
- Six 'S'accrochant' sculptures are suspended from hooks, suggesting an abattoir.
- Baghramian's works invite anthropocentric projection without explicitly depicting bodies.
Entities
Artists
- Nairy Baghramian
- Geles Cabrera
- Elizabeth Catlett
- Helen Escobedo
- Ángela Gurría
Institutions
- kurimanzutto
- Nasher Sculpture Center
Locations
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- Dallas
- Texas
- United States