THE UNTITLED SPACE
presents
VOYAGE EN FLEURS
A Solo Show of Sculptures by Fidan Bagirova
Curated by Stacy Engman
EXHIBITION ON VIEW
November 7 – 20 | 10am – 6pm
(Sundays by Appointment)
THE UNTITLED SPACE
45 Lispenard Street Unit 1W
NYC 10013
The Untitled Space and Indira Cesarine are pleased to present “Voyage en Fleurs“, a solo show of sculptures by artist Fidan Bagirova curated by Stacy Engman.
“In these turbulent times of divisiveness and polarization, I am interested in engaging with issues of religious reconciliation, peace and harmony by invoking the traditional symbolism of flowers as a means of communication on both a human and cultural level.
The sculptures of “Voyage En Fleurs” deliberately reference the language of abstract expressionism. They are inspired by societal issues of immigration and exploring ideas around the dreams of new life. For many years people have emigrated to the United States of America not only hoping to fulfill their dreams but also to unlock the imagination promised by the ‘new world’ as it was once known. These sculptures are produced by crafting floral forms from recycled rough aluminum sheets, which are then painted in saturated color palettes. Although they are intended to appeal directly to the eye, it is only on closer inspection that their surfaces are revealed as having been beaten and smashed. The constructions themselves are comprised of thin metal, and like the flowers to which they refer, are more fragile that they first appear. In many ways this fragility also relates directly to human subjectivity and the blossoming of individual human lives.
Each individual struggles to present the most beautiful version of themselves in spite of the trials and tribulations endured to reach this point. As such the abstract flowers of ‘Voyage en Fleurs’ have their own life, albeit one born of the imagination. The imagination is always a double-edged sword, encompassing both hope and the potential for broken dreams, but it is the endless potential of the imagination that remains alluring: and why our dreams exist and endure. Faced by a society that seems to strive for beauty and perfection it is possible that core human values such as warmth and soul might easily be lost. But it is the fragile balance between the two, the appeal of this beautiful elusive potential, that this work is intended to evoke.” – Artist Fidan Bagirova
Artist Biography:
Fidan Bagirova (Swiss, born 1988) is a contemporary artist. Her work focuses on exploring the dynamics of evoking and expressing positive emotions through multimedia projects. Reminiscent of abstract expressionism, she employs industrial materials with a discordant combination of techniques, styles, and colors that unravel in new forms. Fidan is interested in societal issues of immigration, engaging with religious reconciliation, multiculturalism, peace and harmony. Her work challenges, “What it is to be a person living in the world? What do identity, dreams and beauty mean and why people are compelled to transform theirs?” Bagirova is a graduate of University of Geneva, received a masters from London City University and additionally attended New York Film Academy and Inchbald School of Design in London, UK.
About the curator Stacy Engman:
Stacy Engman is a fine-art curator based in New York City. Her past exhibitions and projects have been presented at international art museums and esteemed institutions including the Andy Warhol Museum, the Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Modern Art / PS1, the National Arts Club, amongst others. Referred to as the “New School’s Head of Class” by V Magazine, her exhibitions are regularly featured in the Top Ten art show to see, including Terence Koh’s performance “Art History” in The New York Times and New York Magazine, the best show of the summer by The Huffington Post for “Contemporary Magic” at the Virginia MoCA, as well as placement in the top art / fashion crossover shows of the year by Italian Vogue for ART CAPSUL at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris. She is known for bridging fine art and other art forms, including music and film, and for championing fashion as part of her practice – where she has seamlessly presented fashion designers, such as Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs I her exhibitions alongside visual arts. Stacy Engman obtained her Master’s Degree in Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, and is know as a New York City style icon and taste-maker.
