Opening reception: November 8, 2013, 6:00 p.m.
From November 8 through 17, 2013.
Rafael Domenech, a visual arts college junior from New World School of the Arts, will exhibit his body of work in an exhibition entitled Symplectic Structures. His first solo show in Miami, it explores the process of deconstruction in an effort to arrive at the foundation of once recognizable objects. Working on numerous pieces, the monochromatic exhibition – which has taken over six months to complete – is comprised of three sculptures and 20 works on paper. Using found objects such as wood, tape and fluorescent lighting, the composition is harmoniously created and curated in an attempt to draw the viewer into an abstract world where shapes and forms intertwine, while moving in and out of the space they occupy in a rhythmic pattern that is both, arbitrary and coherent.
“The show is a conceptual abstraction that is structural and experimental,” explained Domenech, “My goal is to free familiar images from their constraining boundaries and dissect them into their very basic and simplistic form in order to unfold how objects behave in two and three-dimensional spaces. More importantly, I hope that by exploring the sensorial aspect of deconstruction I will be closer to uncovering my own identity as an artist.”
A “solo show” in every sense of the term, Rafael Domenech has spent up to 18-hour days working on his show – researching, creating, framing, and finally curating the exhibition. “The history is just as important as the actual work,” he highlighted. “I draw inspiration from everyday experiences but also from respected artists and from historical moments in art.”
Domenech is an avid reader who owns an extensive library of “reference” books on art and architecture. For this particular exhibition, Rafael was influenced by Russian constructivism and by the German Bauhaus school – famous for its approach to design. He also sought inspiration from artist Richard Serra and minimalist Donald Judd. “Dan Flavin, who used commercially available light fixtures in order to create his installations, was also a valuable conceptual resource for this show.” Contemporary artists including photographer Maria Martinez-Cañas, faculty member at NWSA, and personal friend Peter Menendez also played important roles in the development of Rafael’s body of work for Symplectic Structures.
Rafael Domenech attended the San Alejandro National Academy of Fine Arts, in Cuba, where he was recognized for his achievements in contemporary art, including his participation in the 9th and 10th Biennial of Havana. After graduating with high honors as sculptor, painter, and draftsman, he was accepted at Havana’s prestigious Superior Institute of Fine Arts (ISA). Rafael immigrated to the United States in 2010, to reunite with his mother who lived in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has had numerous exhibitions in group shows including Detras del Muro/ Behind the Wall, 11th Havana Biennial, Havana City, Cuba; Walls of Artseen, Artseen, Miami; Rising Stars Exhibition, New World School of the Arts Gallery, Miami; Ya see leer, Arteamerica Art Fair, Miami; and League for Innovation, Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, Miami. Rafael is currently a college junior in the visual arts program at New World School of the Arts, majoring in painting. He will earn his BFAdegree in 2015.
NWSA@Artseen Gallery
2215 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
305.237.3620
http://nwsa.mdc.edu
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