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