![]() Here, the ceremonial symbols of Christian offerings and sacrifices have been veiled in a layer of uncertainty. Blown up and cropped to make the plastic object’s abstract folds and shapes take center stage, they make for potent images. Each work depicts altarpieces covered in plastic during the time of renovation. The theme of the veil is most evident in the large photography installation that features images taken in several Basque church interiors. In this particular exhibition, she further examines how light can serve as a veil and optical disguise. Smith shares this strong focus on light as main compositional device. Brancusi photographed his sculptures in order to understand their true potential - creating unique examinations of the absorption and reflection of light. In that aspect, they remind one of the photographic work of the famed sculptor Constantin Brancusi. They are images of, as Smith puts it, “little material value” but of things she “cherishes.” The result of Smith’s meditation on the world that surrounds her, they are sensitive studies of light, form, and composition which succeed in leaving enough room for spontaneity and abstraction to avoid literalism. The main gallery wall is lined with smaller photographs of church interiors, sculptures and a variety of motives that Smith found during her extensive travels. There are two distinct photography installations. The aesthetic effect is that of gravures, which generates a sense of classic timelessness. It is not until later that a negative is made, from which silver-prints are printed on matte paper. Smith prefers to work with a Polaroid camera, which allows her the satisfaction of an immediate image - something she values while on the road with her band. The photographs make up the core of the show. Each body of work is installed in a distinct section, providing this exhibition with the quality of a mini-retrospective. Overall, “Veil” is as elegant as it is eclectic - containing an installation inspired by a series of photographs made in the Basque region recent black and white photographs new and early works on paper a sculpture and a film about the French poet, writer and philosopher Rene Daumal. Smith’s current exhibition, “Veil,” offers another glimpse into her work outside of music. Her presence at these venues has re-enforced her status as an artist whose photographs, drawings and sculptural installations can stand on their own. Smith also made her mark in the genre of rock: “Because the Night” (co-written by Bruce Springsteen) cracked the charts in 1978.Īlthough her reputation as a famed musician has overshadowed other achievements, Smith’s dedication to fine art and her urge to be taken seriously in this field have been continuous and determined.įor three decades, Smith has shown with Robert Miller (one of the most renowned fine art galleries) as well as at the Fondation Cartier in Paris (2008) or the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh (2002). ![]() Her albums “Piss Factory” (1974) and the landmark “Horses” (1975) are credited for their significant influence on the punk rock movement. Today, Smith is best known as a singer-songwriter. Her vehement honesty, while expressing her opinions in art, has made her a widely worshipped cultural icon. Her passionate engagement with political, sociological and metaphysical concerns has made her an important liberal spokesperson. Since then, Smith has expressed herself in music, performance, film, photography, drawing, installation and poetry. It was an organic progression, largely inspired by Bob Dylan and Smaith’s growing ambition to find a unique mélange between poetry and image. It was not until 1970 that Smith started to work on songs. In the early days, she lived at the Chelsea Hotel with Robert Mapplethorpe and created works on paper that - in the tradition of the 19th Century poet/artist William Blake - combined drawing with language. In 1967, at the age of 20, she left Philadelphia er to pursue the life of an artist in New York City. And if trying to sum up her multi-faceted work with one general term, “Poet” may indeed be the most accurate.įor roughly four decades, Smith has expressed herself in a variety of media. Many consider Patti Smith one of the true poets of our time. Pigmented ink prints, 20 x 16 inches, Edition: 1/5 "Veil" offers glimpse into Smith’s work outside of musicĮclectic installations provide insight, provoke imagination
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