Mail-art envelopes from Romania are always, always a cause for happy dancing at my house. Mariana Serban's packages invariably contain something ingenious, playful, and unique. This one is no exception. In fact, if at all possible, I believe Mariana has outdone herself, moved into a whole new dimension, that is.
There are all the standard elements of Mariana's art here: playful but very skillful drawing, the usual female figure, crayon-like colors, bits abd pieces of ephemera and what??? Well, what might not appear so obvious in this flat picture is that this object of art is sculpture!
Titled "3D Avocado House," the basis of the piece seems to be a bit of blister packaging that has been crumpled up by exposure to heat, as though it had been on the stove and had begun to melt. The hills and valleys caused by melting are taped over with strips of packaging tape which are draawn on, partly concealing and partly revealing the dried, mummified peel of a long-deceased avocado. Setting off the piece is a bit of marginalia salvaged from some sort of recipe calendar or food diary.
Like a lot of Mariana's work, this one has some of the "feel" of a classic icon. The house, the figure, the colors, the refuse, the avocado leather...all say this is pure TrashPo genius! Whose job will it be to induct Mariana into DKult and, perhaps, launch DKultRo as a force to reckon with in Eastern Europe!
Mariana, big hugs to you! This one goes on my studio wall!
No comments:
Post a Comment