Few Brussels art spaces are as distinctive architecturally as La Verrière Hermès, which belongs to the French luxury brand of the same name. It is located in a former garage, behind the shop, and has a high glass roof. The space is so different – and even, at times, so dominant – that it doesn’t suit every artist, but the French artist Isabelle Cornaro has made perfect use of it for her exhibition. She has, as it were, lowered the ceiling by stretching a large piece of fabric below it. But that’s not all: she has also adapted the light in order to create a perfect viewing experience for visitors, who find themselves immersed in a strange world. It is as if one finds oneself amid elements from a dream scene. The artist has put together a configuration of forms in the space – at times horizontal, at times vertical – on which are placed a variety of objects. This could come across as bleak, cool, and abstract, but that is definitely not the case here. Using a spray can, Cornaro has deployed a subdued palette of colours, ranging from green to light blue and grey, in a subtle gradient of shades. The composition of the forms turns out to have been inspired by the paintings of Poussin – although we must admit, in all honesty, that we would never have noticed that ourselves if we hadn’t read it in the press release. Cornaro has often drawn inspiration from compositions in classical painting, which she transposes into sculpture or installations. She not only plays with colour, perspective, and volume in her work, but also with proportions, patterns, and trajectories. The way in which the objects – ranging from precious shells to coins, necklaces, and stones – are displayed on top of the forms, suggests points of similarity with the display of luxury commodities in the Hermès shop. As we said, a tailor-made installation.
ISABELLE CORNARO ••••
> 27/3, La Verrière Hermès, www.fondationdentreprisehermes.org
Fijn dat je wil reageren. Wie reageert, gaat akkoord met onze huisregels. Hoe reageren via Disqus? Een woordje uitleg.