De

Lúa Coderch »Souvenir [Onyx]«

Editions
Th Neu Lcoderch Souvenir Onyx

Print on inflatable PVC mattress
293 x 155 x 10 cm (115.4 x 61 x 3.0 inches)
Edition of 8 + 1 AP

1.400 Euro

Includes 13% VAT. Please contact us for shipping options, and for pricing in other currencies.

Souvenir [Onyx], 2016

Souvenir [Onyx] is an inflatable reproduction of the charismatic onyx wall made of PVC. It is the core wall of the German Pavilion in Barcelona by Mies van der Rohe on a scale of 1:4. It is inspired by International Style [Onyx Wall], a real size replica of the same wall, which was exhibited at the Miró Foundation in 2014.

During 72 days, Coderch had researched among others the historic development of the City of Barcelona and the phenomenon of what she calls herself material history. After its demolition in 1930, the City of Barcelona decided in 1986 to reconstruct it as an architectural icon and a touristic landmark in an attempt to leave behind the historic burden of the Franco Regime and reconnect to the international league. The fact that the Pavilion had to be reconstructed based on remaining photographs, as the original plans got lost during WWII, suggests that the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion is bound to live on as a ghost or image.

The malleability of the inflatable sculpture conceptualizes the relativity of the notions of time and is expressive of the manipulative intent of the Pavilions reconstruction. Souvenir [Onyx] refers to this spectacular piece by Lúa Coderch. Even at a scale of 1:4 it exerts a strong fascination on the viewer.

01 Neu Lcoderch Souvenir Onyx

Lúa Coderch

Lúa Coderch (*1982 in Iquitos, Peru) lives and works in Barcelona. Using research not to become an expert on a particular topic, her work explores the surface of things and the materiality of personal and historical narratives. Both things and anecdotes keep appearing once and again as characters in a narrative that arises from the stringing of her different projects. Using a wide range of media and strategies, she asks about the aesthetic aspect of topics like sincerity, enthusiasm, value or deception.

In 2014, Lúa Coderch exhibited at the Miró Foundation The Magic Mountain. Her work was a narrative in 72 chapters, extended along the 72 days of the exhibition around the idea of historical present, and on the tyranny of constantly having to define your expectations. She reflected on the location of the Foundation, the Montjuïch mountain, a very touristic enclave and a never-ending resource to produce discourse and imaginary: it is where the 1992 Olympics took place and the International Exhibition of 1929, where the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion was installed.

Her solo shows include Night in a Remote Cabin Lit by a Kerosene Lamp (Galería Angels Barcelona, 2015), Gold (Suñol Foundation, Barcelona, 2014), La parte que falta (Galería Bacelos, Madrid, 2014) and The Magic Mountain (Espai 13, Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona, 2013-14). Her group shows include Especies de Espacios (MACBA, 2015-16), ¿Por qué no lo llamas entropía? (Encuentro de Cultura Contemporánea de Guadalajara, México, 2015), The World of Interiors (The Green Parrot, Barcelona, 2014) and The future doesn't wait (La Capella, BCN Producció, 2014). In 2016 she will present the video project Shelter, promoted by BBVA Foundation. Lúa Coderch is represented by Àngels Barcelona gallery.

06 Lcoderch Souvenir Onyx
01 Lcoderch Souvenir Onyx

International Style [Onyx Wall] at Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona, 2014. Image courtesy of Fundació Joan Miró © Pere Pratdesaba.

02 Lcoderch Souvenir Onyx

Original Onyx wall at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona

Connect with us
Sign up to be among the first to learn about new stories and edition releases along with our bi-weekly Culture Briefing.