The Balance of Unbalance

Farmingdale State College Memorial gallery welcomes the global artistic tandem Gerola & Claire Lacoste Kapstein. Their exhibition, The Balance of Unbalance – a survey of works by both artists, collaborators, partners in life and art – will be on view at the Memorial Gallery from September 15 – November 13, 2023.

The exhibition celebrates and explores the life's work of this dynamic duo which includes steel sculptures from intimate to monumental static and kinetic, abstract paintings, collages on wood panels, fountains, elegant models, landscape design, and a series of works entitled Cosmic Garlic.

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Ribbon Cutting - Thursday, September 28 from 11:00 - 11:15 AM in front of School of Business

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Gerola's artistic odyssey delves into the captivating realm of The Balance of Unbalance, a thematic exploration that finds striking expression in his large-scale public artworks crafted from A36 steel. These monumental creations stand as testaments to his remarkable ability to shape steel into forms that resonate with visual tension and yet resonate with an underlying harmony. Upon encountering his pieces, viewers are confronted with a paradoxical visual experience: seemingly imbalanced configurations that, upon closer scrutiny, unveil a meticulously calculated equilibrium.

The inherent juxtaposition within Gerola's works is accentuated by his choice of A36 steel as a medium. The industrial rawness of the material juxtaposed with the elegant and calculated designs reinforces the theme of balance amidst apparent disarray. As a professional curator, it's fascinating to witness how Gerola's creations challenge not only artistic conventions but also the very essence of balance itself. His ability to coax the intrinsic equilibrium out of these unbalanced forms transforms the viewer's perspective, compelling them to contemplate the profound interconnectedness of chaos and order, and to recognize that true balance often emerges from the unlikeliest of sources.

In Cosmic Garlic, Kapstein embarks on an exploration that draws upon cherished memories of tending to lush gardens abundant with flora in the scenic Périgord region of France; the artist's creative process takes on a curious and nostalgic essence. The legacy of skilled female figures like a couturière grandmother and the artist's own fashion background are interwoven, breathing life into the artwork's textures and colors. The inspiration traces back to formative years spent in European boarding schools, imbibing an apprenticeship-style approach to traditional crafts like embroidery, weaving, and drawing. Through a method of artful collage, the artist deftly constructs an imagined realm, infusing each piece with a tranquil allure.

Witness the material remnants that guide these artworks, an assemblage of elements both unconventional and historical. From paint to botanical treasures like onion and garlic skins, ginkgo and cannabis leaves, minerals, and delicate fabrics such as lace, silk, and woven swatches, the paintings embrace a tactile richness that resonates across time. Sourced from a lifetime's repository of personal textiles, cherished since childhood, this collection is an homage to the artist's ancestral thread. Amidst an ethos of familial collecting, these creations stand as a counterpoint – a meaningful resistance to the passage of time; a testament to personal history; and a legacy for generations yet to come.

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This exhibition is planned in coordination with the Farmingdale State College Public Art Committees’ most recent acquisition of public art being installed on campus this Fall 2023.

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