Tomas Saraceno
dal 16/7/2010 al 9/10/2010
Segnalato da
16/7/2010
Tomas Saraceno
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
14 Billion (Working Title). In collaboration with spider researchers and astrophysicists, the artist has spent several years developing the 350 cubic metre installation that will fill the Centre. It is an oversized model of the web of the Latrodectus mactans (Black Widow) spider. Occupying the border regions between science, art and architecture his works include anything from spheres and cloud creations to flying gardens, space elevators and futuristic dwellings.
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is delighted to present a new work by renowned
Argentinean artist and architect Tomás Saraceno. For 14 Billion (Working Title)
Saraceno enlisted the aid of spider experts to create an oversized model of the web of
the Latrodectus mactans (Black Widow) spider. This new work, previously unseen in
the UK, will open at BALTIC on Saturday 17 July.
Through his work Saraceno explores possible visions of a better world; his interest in
architectural projects is part of this ongoing fascination with utopian theories and
astronomical constellations. Taking his inspiration from the natural environment he
rethinks how we live and our relation to one another; reshaping ideas and perceptions
on ownership, property and even nationality. He challenges our ideas about the stability
of the built environment and the structure of urban environments. Occupying the border
regions between science, art and architecture his works include anything from spheres
and cloud creations to flying gardens, space elevators and futuristic dwellings.
In collaboration with arachnologists, astrophysicists, architects and engineers, Saraceno
has spent two years developing 14 Billion (Working Title). His point of departure for this
new work was science’s use of spiders’ webs when describing the origin and structure of
the universe. The resulting installation spans an enormous 400 cubic metres, is
composed of 8000 black strings connected by over 23,000 individually tied knots and
depicts a monstrous Black Widow spider’s web. At BALTIC the work will be housed
within a specially created white cube space located in the Level 2 gallery enabling
visitors to walk through and around the installation.
14 Billion (Working Title) is a development of the work Galaxy Forming along
Filaments, like Droplets along the Strands of a Spider’s Web which he presented at
the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009. Thomas Saraceno is guest artist for 2010 at Bonnier
Konsthall, Stockholm where 14 Billion (Working Title) was previously exhibited.
TOMÁS SARACENO BIOGRPAHY
Tomás Saraceno was born in 1973 in Argentina and lives and works in Frankfurt. He has
participated in numerous exhibitions world-wide, including solo presentations at the
Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, USA, 2009; the Mudam, Musée d’Art Moderne,
Luxemburg, 2009; and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York, 2008. He participated in the
53rd Venice Biennale 2009 and group exhibitions at the Barbican, London, 2009;
Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, 2009; Wanås, Sweden; and Life Forms at
Bonniers Konsthall, 2009. In 2009, the artist received the Calder Prize.
BALTIC is a major international centre for contemporary art situated on the south bank
of the River Tyne in Gateshead, England. BALTIC presents a constantly changing,
distinctive and ambitious programme of exhibitions and events, and is a world leader in
the presentation, commissioning and communication of contemporary visual art. BALTIC
has welcomed over 3 million visitors, since opening to the public in July 2002.
Support for this exhibition has been generously provided by Ryder Architecture.
For further information on the exhibition, please contact:
Ann Cooper, Media Officer T: 0191 440 4915 E: annc@balticmill.com
Nikki Johnson, Comms Assistant T: 0191 440 4912 E: nikkij@balticmill.com
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Gateshead Quays South Shore Road Gateshead NE8 3BA UK
Opening hours:
Monday - Sunday 10.00 - 18.00 except Tuesdays 10.30 – 18.00
Admission free