Adriano Amaral: Alloy Alloy

Vleeshal is pleased to present Alloy Alloy, a solo exhibition by Adriano Amaral (1982, Brazil). This will be the first institutional solo presentation of Amaral’s work in the Netherlands.

Amaral’s work is marked by an in-depth examination into the nature of things that surround us. The relationship between the human body and architecture as closed and simultaneously porous entities form the basis of his artistic enquiry. In his work various materials and states of matter intermingle. Natural elements such as water, light, air and coal encounter artificial products like silicone, clothing, aluminium, machine fragments and concrete. These contrasting materials and substances are often employed to evoke connections with, or act as stand-ins for, parts of the human body.

In the realms of science and physics, an "alloy" refers to a mixture of metals, or a metal made by bonding metal with another element. At Vleeshal Zusterstraat a series of new works embedded within an overall spatial concept create similarly unexpected fusions between humans, materials and architecture. A black-violet reflective platform constructed from solar panels is a central component of the installation, also acting as a pedestal for the other works on display. A doubling, as expressed in the title Alloy Alloy, can be seen in many of these sculpture pairings. Constructed from diverse materials including shoes, bones, oxygen cylinders and ultra-sound gel these sculptures also respond to our own sets of pairs—two arms, two legs, two feet.

This exhibition was co-commissioned with Bielefelder Kunstverein.

Vleeshal would like to thank Mondriaan Fund and the City of Middelburg.

For press requests please write to office@vleeshal.nl.