Dialogue: Troy Simmons and Harald Schmitz-Schmelzer
two person solo show with Troy Simmons (USA) and Harald Schmitz-Schmelzer (GERMANY).
Troy Simmons explores the idea of the Anthropocene and man’s destructive relationship with nature. Describing his work as an exploration of incompatible binary relationships; Simmons’ work is a contemporary reimagining of the Arte Povera movement, particularly in the beautification of everyday objects and the dynamic juxtaposition between traces of nature and industry.
Conversely, the creations of Harald Schmitz-Schmelzer draw inspiration from nature and ancient culture’s most elemental forms, functioning as contemporary manifestations. Through a technique evolved over years of experimentation, pigmented resin is poured in parallel or vertical layers onto a base of raw tropical wood. Schmelzer cites diversity of chromaticity and translucency in his assertion of each layer’s existence as a sovereign entity; varying widths and hues mirror geological striations showing the passage of earths time.
Troy Simmons explores the idea of the Anthropocene and man’s destructive relationship with nature. Describing his work as an exploration of incompatible binary relationships; Simmons’ work is a contemporary reimagining of the Arte Povera movement, particularly in the beautification of everyday objects and the dynamic juxtaposition between traces of nature and industry.
Conversely, the creations of Harald Schmitz-Schmelzer draw inspiration from nature and ancient culture’s most elemental forms, functioning as contemporary manifestations. Through a technique evolved over years of experimentation, pigmented resin is poured in parallel or vertical layers onto a base of raw tropical wood. Schmelzer cites diversity of chromaticity and translucency in his assertion of each layer’s existence as a sovereign entity; varying widths and hues mirror geological striations showing the passage of earths time.
