PRESENCE
ad astra
MANA CONTEMPORARY announces Ad Astra
an exhibition curated by Ysabel Pinyol Blasi that takes its title from the Latin maxim Per aspera, ad astra (“Through hardship, to the stars”). A collaboration with Pinta Art Fair Miami, Ad Astra interrogates the relationship of dedicated hard work and high-flying ambition to big ideas and creative success, often through physically grandiose images and objects. The grand and the visionary resonate here with the downright strange in an inquiry after the nature of human achievement. Featuring works inspired by real and imaginary spaces identified with its makers’ points of origin—many of which are reconfigured for the former soundstage in which they are displayed—Ad Astra revolves around hard-won transitions and surprising results.
“Ad Astra” invited artists to build site-specific works that reflect on “the artist’s journey . . . the effort each makes to reach a moment of glory”.
Present. Nail to nail; breath to breath; choice to choice
Franz Klainsek dedicates 29 days to balancing gold nails, embodying a profound commitment to the present moment. Each nail signifies a deliberate choice as the performance art piece unfolds through intentionality. In this space, every breath contributes to the ongoing creation of the work. “Present. Nail to nail; breath to breath; choice to choice,” he articulates, forging a striking installation that captivates through its emotional depth and simplicity. The interplay of light and shadow enhances the installation, infusing it with vitality. The piece culminates in a final performance, during which the installation is dismantled, returning the nails to their original state. This conclusion arises from the rich experience of letting go and embracing detachment. At Ad Astra, the installation transforms into a pattern of precise geometric forms, with crystals floating above the entirety of the work, contemplating multidimensionality and creating a relationship with the vast space above the piece.
MANA CONTEMPORARY
MANA CONTEMPORARY unveils "Ad Astra," an exhibition curated by Ysabel Pinyol Blasi. The show's title, derived from the Latin adage Per aspera, ad astra ("Through hardship, to the stars"), thoughtfully sets the tone for this exploration. Presented in collaboration with the Pinta Art Fair Miami, "Ad Astra" probes the intricate dance between relentless effort and soaring ambition that fuels monumental creative achievements. This thematic investigation unfolds through a series of visually imposing works that intertwine the grandiose with the uncanny, crafting a narrative around the essence of human aspiration.
Franz’s practice is a byproduct of his continuous philosophical exploration. His artwork often straddles the line between object and performance. Large-scale sculptures and installations often include references to freedom and the search for truth in today’s complex society. Franz presents themes of human evolution while exploring the relationship of matter, perception, movement, and the mind.
NAIL BY NAIL MOMENT BY MOMENT PRESENCE WAS CREATED AND EXISTED TO INSPIRE THE CONNECTION WITH THE AUDIENCE TO THE PRESENT MOMENT AS THEY PONDER ON THE IMPERMANENCE AND CONNECTION TO THE PRESENT MOMENT
The FINAL performance becomes a conduit for meditation on the impermanence of all
As the culmination of this living installation approaches, Franz Klainsek orchestrates a deliberate deconstruction. This final act of letting go serves as a profound metaphor for detachment and the acceptance of impermanence. The nails, once symbols of the human spirit, clatter back to their ordinary state, each echo a reminder of the transient nature of all endeavors. This destruction is not just an end but a release, a return to simplicity that challenges the audience to relinquish their own grasp on the past and future, focusing instead on the ever-passing present.
In "Presence," Franz Klainsek not only crafts a narrative about glory inherent in the artistic journey but also creates an immersive experience that resonates deeply with those who witness it. The performance becomes a conduit for meditation on the impermanence of all, leaving with the power of living fully in the moment.
