Dana Melamed
dal 4/11/2008 al 11/12/2008
Segnalato da
4/11/2008
Dana Melamed
The Durst Organization, New York
Rhetoric of Violence and Trauma. A Mixed Media Project. Melamed uses a collection of current and historical documents, architectural renderings and aerial photographs as references for her landscapes. In her work, she assembles a fictitious urban environment that does not refer to a specific place, nor express a particular narrative-yet carries the weight and intensity of a mute history.
Priska C. Juschka Fine Art
In conjunction with
The Durst Organization
Presents
Dana Melamed
Rhetoric of Violence and Trauma
A Mixed Media Project
Dana Melamed has always been fascinated with the development of cities from an architectural, historical, social and political point of view. The urban experience serves as the framework and trigger for the emotional turmoil that she sets forth with her fierce and impulsive practice. In her work, Melamed assembles a fictitious urban environment that does not refer to a specific place, nor express a particular narrative—yet carries the weight and intensity of a mute history.
Melamed uses a collection of current and historical documents, architectural renderings and aerial photographs as references for her landscapes. Building upon her canvases using materials associated with construction, including sheet rock mesh, plaster, printing waste and scrap metal, the artist creates a unique three-dimensional surface. To process her work, Melamed scorches the surface with a blow torch and cuts into the layers with a razor. As the different materials dissolve into one another, concept and technique coalesce, thus forming the overwhelming impressions of destruction and decay
The fusion of destructive techniques in her work reflects the aggression and abuse demonstrated by mankind throughout the centuries, directed towards each other and the environment. However, the artist remains optimistic viewing the process as, "....A journey deeper into our personal layers and past, our own thoughts and emotions. Perhaps if we dig deeper, we can find ourselves beyond the bustle, noise, chaos, and at last—beneath the surface."
Dana Melamed was born and raised in Israel, and now lives and works in New Jersey. She holds a B.A. in Architectural Studies from Ort Technikum, Israel. She has been the subject of several solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows including the 183rd Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art at the National Academy of Design in New York, NY and Future Tense: Contemporary Views/Post-Utopian Landscape at the Neuberger Museum of Art in Westchester County, NY.
Image: Dana Melamed, Rhetoric of Violence and Trauma "Temporary Cities # 9 (of 9)," 2008, Transparency film, print waste, acrylic, ink and charcoal on canvas, 24 x 52 inches (61 x 137 cm)
Reception for the Artist: Wednesday, November 5, 6 — 8 PM
The Durst Organization
Lobby Gallery
1155 Avenue of the Americas (Between 44th and 45th Street) New York