barry X ball

barry X ball - masterpieces
salon 94, new york
on now until december 12th, 2009

masterpieces is the current exhibition of barry X ball's new sculpture at salon 94 in new york.
this being the US debut of this body of work, the show features three figurative works in stone,
executed with contemporary technology which enables digital scanning and manipulation of
three-dimensional objects. ball has used this technology to collect data on two baroque
masterpieces in the permanent collection of ca'rezzonico, venice - 'la purità' (dama velata),
by antonio corradini, and 'la invidia' by orazio marinali, while still directly engaging the figures'
historical antecedents.


purity, 2008-2009
golden honeycomb calcite
pedestal made from macedonian marble, stainless steel, wood, acrylic lacquer, steel, nylon, plastic
dimensions of scultpure: 24 x 16.5 x 11.75 incheS
dimensions of pedestal: 45 x 14 x 12 inches
image courtesy of salon 94

'purity' is a response to antonio corradini's 'la purità' (1720 - 1725). it is sculpted in both
golden honeycomb calcite and white iranian onyx - semi-translucent stones not traditionally
used for sculpture that transcend the limitations of marble, blurring the lines between stone,
flesh, and cloth. the translucency of the materials creates the illusion of the sculptures
emanating light, simultaneously conveying the warmth of human flesh and the diaphanous
qualities of a veil. with sumptuous finishes that highlight the sensuality of exposed flesh,
purity is inevitably imbued with eroticism despite its virtuous title.


image courtesy of barry X ball


image courtesy of barry X ball


image courtesy of barry X ball


purity, 2008-2009
iranian onyx and stainless steel
pedestal made from macedonian marble, stainless steel, wood, acrylic lacquer, steel, nylon, plastic
dimensions of scultpure: 24 x 16.5 x 11.75 incheS
dimensions of pedestal: 45 x 14 x 12 inches
image courtesy of salon 94


image courtesy of barry X ball


image courtesy of barry X ball


image courtesy of barry X ball


envy, 2009 by barry X ball
image courtesy of salon 94

sculpted after orazio marinali's 'la invidia' (1643 - 1720), ca'rezzonico, venice,
'envy' is executed in blegian black marble, and augments the terror and pathos of marinali's
medusa-like figure. with laboriously refined details, ball's snake-headed woman escapes
the confinement of marinali's frontal portrait by reemerging as a personified monster incarnate.
envy's brittle skin, sagging breasts and horrific screaming mouth confront the viewer with a
sense of imminent mortality.


image courtesy of barry X ball


image courtesy of barry X ball


installation view of masterpieces exhibition at salon 94
image courtesy of salon 94


image courtesy of salon 94