Nicolas Pol
After Modern Vermin Control
October 14–December 15, 2013
Opening: Monday, October 14, 7–9pm
Cardi Black Box
Corso di Porta Nuova, 38
20121 Milan
T +39 02 45478189
F +39 02 45478120
gallery [at] cardiblackbox.com
Cardi Black Box is pleased to present After Modern Vermin Control, an installation of 17 new works by French artist Nicolas Pol. This exhibition marks the first solo show of Pol’s work in Italy and the first collaboration between Nicolo Cardi and Vladmir Restoin Roitfeld. After Modern Vermin Control will feature never-before-seen works that explore the artist’s ongoing examination of contemporary culture.
After Modern Vermin Control follows the artist’s tradition of combining several styles with a variety of fine art references that range from Renaissance masters to Kippenberger; the numerous and explicit references throughout this series are intentionally used by the artist as vulgar clichés. Pol’s sizable canvases continue to take strong cues from street art and graphic design. His work presents intense colors alongside recognizable iconography to create a structure and all-over quality that demands attention.
In this latest body of work, Pol uses vermin, such as rodents and insects, to illuminate the pests or nuisances that threaten the progression of human society and calls the exhibition the “opening of vermin hunting season.” His work takes on an apocalyptic vision of the world. While seemingly semi-fantastical, the works are very much rooted in Pol’s preoccupation with scientific advances, the notion that there is nothing left to be discovered and that mystery and surprise are a thing of the past.
About Nicolas Pol
Nicolas Pol (b. 1977, Paris) spent much of his childhood in Africa before relocating to France. Pol’s work has been exhibited at galleries around the world including Istanbul 74, Allsopp Contemporary in West London, and Lehmann Maupin in New York. Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld presented Pol’s work in large-scale international exhibitions: The Martus Maw, New York (2009); The Mother of Pouacrus, London (2010); Sick Atavus of the New Blood, New York (2011) and Neverlodge (2012). Pol has participated in numerous group exhibitions organized by prestigious institutions, including J-en Rêve, Fondation Cartier, Paris; Plus Que Vrai, École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris; and Salle des Quais, Paris. Pol lives and works in Paris.
Media contacts:
Justin Conner, FITZ & CO: T 212 627 1455 x233 / justin [at] fitzandco.com
Jessica McCormack, FITZ & CO: T 310 395 2900 / jessica.mccormack [at] fitzandco.com
Elena Bodecchi , Cardi Black Box: T +39 0245478189 / elena [at] cardiblackbox.com