Opening Reception

5/17/2008 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Marx & Zavattero is pleased to announce long-time San Francisco resident and sculptor Matt Gil’s second solo exhibition at the gallery May 15 – July 2. In what promises to be an impressive study of Gil’s work and process over the past decade, the artist will present a series of new small-scale ceramic sculptures on a groundbreaking, hand-constructed, 22-foot long oval-shaped mechanized conveyor – consisting of 52 steel pallets – placed in the middle of the gallery floor. Additionally, a series of watercolors culled from Gil’s sketchbook will be exhibited for the first time, providing a unique window into his creative genesis. Finally, two new large-scale painted aluminum sculptures from Gil’s metal shop yard will also be on view.

The conveyor, recalling Gil’s kinetic sculptures from the 1980s, makes a complete revolution every two minutes. It will enable the viewer to remain standing in one place while up to 25 sculptures circle in front of them. “The conveyor is an effortless way to see 360 degrees of each piece,” Gil explains. “The entire tabletop of pallets moves at ½ RPM, which equals about five seconds of viewing per sculpture.” The “baggage belt” nature of the conveyor is also Gil’s tongue-in-cheek commentary on the state of today’s frenzied art market, where works of art have seemingly become objects to be hastily claimed, rather than contemplated and collected simply for their aesthetic value. Lit from below, the rotating sculptures will also cast a myriad of dramatic shadows on the walls opposite, recalling the machine sculpture of 20th Century sculptor Jean Tinguely.

Gil combines his interest in modern sculpture – namely that of Jean Arp, Isamu Noguchi, and Constantine Brancusi – with a contemporary whimsy and intuition that borrows from the natural world. His passion for form is evident in his distinctive pieces that reflect his freewheeling use of ideas and shapes. Gil’s superb craftsmanship, whereby he hand-fabricates his sculptures, seamlessly blend a classic and playful sensibility. The works on exhibit reflect the integration of several of Gil’s interests, providing a wonderful entrée into this mischievous series that is at once curious, jazzy, and bold in form and color.

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