03 Nov 2010

Elena del Rivero: Flying letters at Galeria SENDA, Barcelona

Elena del Rivero
Flying letters
Opening: Thursday 28 th of October, 20 h
Tuesday to Friday from 10.30 to 14 h & 16 to 20 h; Saturdays from 11 to 14 and 17 to 20.30

Senda Gallery presents the first exhibition in Barcelona of New York based Spanish artist, Elena del Rivero. “Flying letters” a series produced this year, composed of more than ten pieces of medium and large format, handmade on abaca paper becomes the focal point of the show which is completed with several small delicate paintings.

Elena del Rivero presents on this occasion one of her most suggestive and symbolic series. As skilled as Daedalus, Del Rivero shows us a sophisticated use of paper, with which she has learned to employ at her whim.

At a more in-depth glance the pieces of “Flying Letters” begin to show the traces of the thread, graphite and typewriter machine on the paper. A methodical and domestic act of craftsmanship, that suggests a message concealed in time, which the viewer would discover as they read between the lines.

Light, delicate, and unique the feather is the main character of this series. Found in her closest environment, a park near her studio in Lower East Manhattan, the feather becomes an emblem. With it, the artist highlights her personal way of transmission, of translation, of telling, through the very medium of creation itself. By means of a firm, expressive yet attractively fragile drawing, she desires to reveal hidden secrets behind representation.

The idea of time, of rhythmic labour, of almost ritual repetition is implicit in Del Rivero's artistic language. It is this precise abstraction that pervades her work of spirituality. In a way, her drawings are closely related to Chinese calligraphy, understood as a message,  as well as an artistic and poetic vehicle.

The line and the flow of Del Rivero, suggest a slow and methodical approach yet at the same time the intensity of an impulse, almost as fragmentary notes from a dream. Del Rivero conjured us to dream: “Rêve, je te dis!” Helene Cixous' reference is not incongruous here as her ideas are reflected in many areas of Elena del Rivero's projects.
It is the task of the "reader" to explore and contribute to the dialogue that gives the ultimate meaning of her work

Elena del Rivero (Valencia, España, 1949) lives and Works in Nueva York. Her work has been exhibited widely including the solo exhibitions 2010: La Conservera, Murcia, 2009: Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona. 2008: The Corcoran, Washington. 2006:; IVAM, Valencia; Patio Herreriano, Valladolid; Fundación La Caixa, Lerida. 2004: Dieu Donne, NY. 2002: Edificio Histórico de la Universidad de Salamanca. 2001: Drawing Center, NY; Art in General, NY;. 1998: Reina Sofía, Madrid. 1996: Espacio Caja Burgos.
Her work was included among others in  2007: Lines, Grids, Stains, Words, MOMA, NY. 2005: Barrocos y Neobarrocos, DA 2 Domus Artium, Salamanca. 2004: Encuentro entre dos colecciones, Fundación Serralves, Oporto / Fundación la Caixa Barcelona; Dont`t call it performance, Museo del Barrio, NY / CAAC, Sevilla; Books as Art, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington. 2003: Il Raconto del Filo, MART di Trento e Rovereto; Miradas complices, CGAC, Santiago de Compostela. 2002: Entre Líneas, Casa Encendida, Madrid; Gótico.... pero Exótico, ARTIUM, Vitoria. 2000: Greater New York, P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, NY. 1998: Interlacings: The Craft of Contemporary Art, Whitney Museum, Stamford. 1997: New Work: Drawings Today, SFMoMA, San Francisco. 1995: Bienal de Johannesburgo.

For further information or images, please contact us at coordinacio@galeriasenda.com