Now on view at the New York Mercantile Exchange is an immersive and antiquarian experience, “Le Cabinet de Curiosites.” Put on in conjunction with Marlborough and Steinitz Galleries, the transformed space serves as a showcase for contemporary painting and sculpture, scattered amongst a variety of antiques including Napoleon’s map table and a Renaissance bull’s head.
The contemporary works that accompany these priceless treasures bridge the centurial gaps, Manolo Valdes’ sculptures of rare and exotic woods appear upon first glance to be antique books on a bookshelf, while Thierry W Despont’s mixed media assemblages bear a quasi-steampunk aesthetic all perfectly complimented by Claudio Bravo’s photorealistic paintings on the wall which depict the backs of paintings and works still in their wrapping.
The end result is an exhibition that blurs the line between contemporary and antiquarian arts, done in such a fluid manner that one questions which works are which. The show will be on view until January 31st at the former headquarters of the New York Mercantile Exchange at 6 Harrison street. Get a look at the space and works, here on Hi-Fructose.
