Fantasy animal-housing in "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution"
28/01/2016.
by Álvaro Soler Arpa & PPC [BCN] Spain
metalocus, BRANLY ERNESTO PÉREZ
metalocus, BRANLY ERNESTO PÉREZ
The scuptor Álvaro Soler Arpa presents, accompanied by PPC (*), his latest creation, a series of sculptures made from animal skeletons, many of them being of considerable proportions, that have mutated due to global pollution and human intervention. The exhibition opens on February 1st at Barcelona subway and on February 15th on Barcelona airport (terminal 1).
Three-headed Corridor (2011). Being with 3 heads. 2,5x2m. Sheep skulls, pig trunk, ostrich legs and hips, wire, trash and a pedestal. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Sea Animal (2013). Hanging sculpture wich recalls to a sea animal. 2,3x1,5m. Crocodile skull, bull horns, bovine vertebrae, wire and garbage. Exhibition “Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution”. Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Anthreelope (2012). three-legged antelope. 3,5x2,5m. Pork, horse, cow, ostrich, goat and African buffalo bones; wire, iron rods, garbage and a pedestal. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Faun (2014). 4,0x2,7 m. Wildebeest skull, pork vertebrae, horse trunk, cow and ostrich legs, wire, garbage and a pedestal. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Three-legged animal (2013). Three-legged creature measuring 1,9x1,7m. Sheep skull with vegetal ornaments, ostrich legs, garbage and wire stuffing, iron pedestal. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Detail. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Anthreelope (2012). three-legged antelope. 3,5x2,5m. Pork, horse, cow, ostrich, goat and African buffalo bones; wire, iron rods, garbage and a pedestal. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Álvaro Soler Arpa. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Sketches. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Sketches. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Process. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Process. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
Process. Exhibition "Toxic Life. We are nature in toxic evolution". Photography © Carlos Bellvehí.
As Soler Arpa highlights "My creatures are born from the premises of my history of art knowledge, specially Greek mythology, Middle Age dragons and the fantastic tales of Nordic culture. This background mixed with bones and materials such as wire and garbage of all kinds, give my imagination free reins, which takes me to create new beings."
The disturbing sculptures do not let the viewer to remain indifferent. The sculptor also seeks to criticize the pollutant effect of mankind. This work seeks to be an ode to nature in its constant attempt to adapt to this new situation.
These animals seem to be alive, seemingly on the verge of springing from the spot. As Álvaro Soler Arpa sais: "Each of my creatures shows the powerful force of evolution and answer the following questions: Can life evolve without an ecological era? Will nature as we know it be able to deal with all kind of poured wastes or will it succumb to environmental disasters?" The debate is now open.
Plastic Pollution Coalition defines Álvaro Soler Arpa's art as an artistic language which calls for a world aware of its own toxicity. The remaining question is if nature will be capable of evolve gobbling down all the waste we produce or will it succumb to pollution?
(*) Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) is an international movement that aims to stop plastic pollution and its toxic effects on humans, animals, the sea and the environment. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in California, now encompasses more than 400 partner organizations.
"Toxic Life"
Exhibition of the scuptures photographs. Author.- Carles Bellvehí.
Location.- Mercè Hall, Barcelona subway, Barcelona. Spain.
Dates.- from February 1 to March 25.
Exhibition of "Toxic Life" scuptures.
Location.- Barcelona airport (Terminal 1). Barcelona. Spain.
Dates.- From February 15 to May 15.
More information
ÁLVARO SOLER ARPA
Álvaro Soler Arpa. Nace en Girona, en 1974. Graduado en Dibujo en la Escuela de las Artes y Oficios de Olot e Ilustración en la escuela Llotja de Barcelona. Especializado durante más de 15 años en el ámbito de la publicidad y del cine, ha dibujado shooting boards para directores cómo Alejandro González Iñárritu (Beatiful, 2010) y Woody Allen (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, 2008). A partir del 2005 empieza a desarrollar un trabajo vinculado a las artes plásticas y gracias a su conocimiento en anatomía empieza a realizar obras escultóricas e instalaciones. En 2014 es nombrado embajador de "Plastic Pollution Coalition" y en 2015 es designado miembro de la Royal British Society of Sculptors. Ha expuesto en diferentes ciudades de España y en la Bart Gallery de Colonia (Alemania).
