Fauna de Fierro, Almas en Corten. Mónica Calzada
‘Fauna de Fierro, Almas en Corten’ is the latest exhibition of Mónica Calzada in Madrid, a sculptor whose work will be on show at Galería Nueva Las Letras from 4 to 26 October. This exhibition aims to be an immersion in a natural world that resists the challenges of a 21st century in which human beings do not fully understand the importance of preserving nature. Mónica Calzada’s sculptures are made of corten steel, a material that, in its hardness, simulates organic and soft forms thanks to the way in which the artist works them.
The exhibition is divided into three habitats: jungle, savannah and forest, showing a very diverse selection of sculptures inspired by the living beings that inhabit them. The monumentality of the lion or the delicacy of the Iberian lynx contrast with the immersive installation that surrounds us as spectators. Each animal seems to come to life, not only because of its size and the sheer of its volume in space, but also because of the constant duality that we perceive in its forms: light and shadow, ferocity and fragility, calm and agitation. These sculptures invite the viewer to embrace that duality present in each of us, revealing the balance between opposing forces that make up our essence as human beings.
The lights, sounds and textures of the space transport you to the natural habitats of each creature represented. This atmosphere not only invites you to observe, but also to connect with the works and nature itself.
Monica Calzada’s work manages to turn corten steel, an industrial and rigid material, into something organic. Corten is famous for its ability to resist corrosion, generating a patina that makes it appear more natural, as if it merges with the environment in which it is presented. Each layer of rust, each mark on the surface, tells a story about time, adaptation and resistance, both in the animals and in the artistic process itself.
About the artist:
Mónica Calzada was based from a young age on her father’s welding workshop in El Bierzo. She has studied ceramics, interior design and sculpture, with specialised monographs and courses in textures, glazes and welding techniques. His work has been shown in venues such as the Caja España Exhibition Hall (Bembibre, León, 1994), the National Museum of Decorative Arts (Madrid, 1996), Fortaleza de Basso (Florence, 1997), Caja Madrid National Ceramics Competition (itinerant, 1999), MAES Gallery (Madrid, 1999), International Exhibition of Independent Contemporary Artists (Barcelona, 1999), Roglan Gallery (Barcelona, 2000) and the Egyptian Institute of Islamic Studies (Madrid, 2000). After a few years of research and apprenticeship in his studio, he returns to the scene to show his latest works at Galería Nueva Las Letras (Madrid).