What an odd sight it is to see worn-down fences in an established gallery, like the Pari Nadimi Gallery in Niagara Street. The fences are part of Rhonda Weppler’s and Trevor Mahovsky’s solo exhibition. While perhaps ‘solo’ is not the most fitting word, they are, in fact, a duo. The Visitation is an extension of the duo’s previous installation, Bad Neighbor. Visitation initially deceives the eye: the front reveals nothing about its actual materiality. The front is characterized by density, weight, and a sense of protection. It is two pieces of fencing situated in a V formation, with a dresser, pieces of panels, moths, and cat shaped wood placed on and around the fences.
Visitation, 2014 – 2015, Oak, fir, pine, birch and exotic wood veneers given patina with vinegar solution, resin, 5’4” H x 9’L x 11’W. Installation view, Pari Nadimi Gallery. Courtesy of Pari Nadimi Gallery
However, it is surprising how much Visitation changes once you walk around to the back. The density, the weight, and the nostalgic quality all disappears. From the back, the viewer sees that the sculpture is made from very thin wooden veneers. All the components from the front (dresser, moths, scratches, etc.) are revealed to be part of the fences. It is all one piece. The dresser is connected to the fence and empty in the back – same for the moths – as if they have surfaced from the fence. The entire backside is also coated with a clear resin that looks and drips disturbingly organic – similar to the goo from Ridley Scott’s “Alien”.
Visitation 2014 – 2015, Oak, fir, pine, birch and exotic wood veneers given patina with vinegar solution, resin, 5’4” H x 9’L x 11’W (detail). Installation view, Pari Nadimi Gallery. Courtesy of Pari Nadimi Gallery
Visitation, 2014 – 2015, Oak, fir, pine, birch and exotic wood veneers given patina with vinegar solution, resin, 5’4” H x 9’L x 11’W. Installation view, Pari Nadimi Gallery. Courtesy of Pari Nadimi Gallery
Visitation is in a constant state of instability. This highly constructed, highly intentional structure looks like it could collapse any minute, but it never does. The relationship between Visitation and “From Whichever Side One Approaches Things” announces that the curation itself is highly intentional as well. The installation nudges the viewer to move around and interact with the space.
From whichever side one approaches things, 2014, walnut veneer, resin, 71.5” h x 4.5” w x 1.5” (detail). Courtesy of Pari Nadimi Gallery
Also in the exhibition are “Snug Fit” and “Island”, as well some photographs from the duo’s “Monkey’s Raincoat” Series. Weppler and Mahovsky questions materiality in this subtle installation, and tells us that if we search hard enough, we might just find the solution.
Snug fit, 2015, infused aluminum print (proprietary commercial printing system and readymade size), 24” diameter. Courtesy of Pari Nadimi Gallery
Sunny Kim
*Exhibition information: September 17 – October 31, 2015, Pari Nadimi Gallery, 254 Niagara Street, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed – Sat, 12 – 5 p.m.