N i m r o d M e s s e g
The beauty forger
Nimrod Messeg The beauty forger September 2019
Nimrod Messeg nasce in Israele e lavora nel sud della Spagna, a Malaga. Nelle sue origini geografiche così come nell’Andalusia, crocevia storici e culturali, impressioni e approcci diversi si intrecciano, per dare significato ad una poetica che ha nel multiculturalismo il suo spunto principale. Nei luoghi della sua memoria e del suo quotidiano, si affrontano, scontrano e rigenerano culture che per secoli hanno promosso bellezza e che è possibile rintracciare nella ricerca dell’artista. Egli ne riprende e assimila i canoni estetici senza tempo, forgiandoli in nuove alchimie. Fiori, arabeschi, pezzi informi di metallo, uniti insieme a formare poesia. Come in uno spartito musicale, ognuno di essi assume un ruolo fondamentale nella costruzione finale di figure eterne; Un puzzle apparentemente infinito di cui non si riesce a rintracciare il punto di partenza ma che ci rende possibile ammirare eleganza tangibile e trascendenza eterea di una forma compiuta. Il primo incontro con Nimrod è avvenuto nel suo laboratorio in Spagna. La sensazione iniziale è stata di avere di fronte un’anima pura che emana un’aura gentile e sensibile. Il suo approccio a ciò che lo circonda è fortemente meditativo, quasi ascetico e trascendentale. Tutto questo è facilmente riscontrabile nelle sue opere, laddove il metallo, per sua natura rigido, freddo e pesante, diviene lieve, delicato e sensuale. L’opera di Messeg ha inoltre una forte caratterizzazione olistica, sia per le suggestioni orientali in essa contenute che per l’accezione tipica del termine, per la quale l’oggetto va considerato sempre come un’unità-totalità non esprimibile con l’insieme delle parti che lo costituiscono. In questo senso le sue sculture sembrano possedere una vera e propria energia spirituale. Essa non è misurabile ma è possibile avvertirla. In questa sua prima mostra in Italia, una selezione accurata di nuove opere cerca di descrivere il lavoro antico e insieme attuale di un artista che “sente” e “dialoga” con la materia, la trasforma, consentendole di raccontare ogni volta una storia diversa.
Nimrod Messeg was born in Israel and works in the south of Spain, in Malaga. In its geographical origins as well as in Andalusia, historical and cultural crossroads, different impressions and approaches intertwine, to give meaning to a poetic that has its main inspiration in multiculturalism. In the places of his memory and his daily life, cultures that for centuries have promoted beauty and that can be traced in the artist’s research are compared, confronted and regenerated. He takes up and assimilates the timeless aesthetic canons, forging them into new alchemies. Flowers, arabesques, shapeless pieces of metal, joined together to form poetry. As in a musical score, each of them takes on a fundamental role in the final construction of eternal figures; An apparently infinite puzzle whose starting point is not recognizable, but which makes it possible for us to admire the tangible elegance and ethereal transcendence of a complete form. The first meeting with Nimrod took place in his laboratory in Spain. The initial feeling was to look at a pure soul springing a gentle and sensitive aura. His approach to what surrounds him is strongly meditative, almost ascetic and transcendental. All this is easily seen in his works, where the metal, by its rigid, cold and heavy nature, becomes light, delicate and sensual. Messeg’s work also has a strong holistic characterization, both for the oriental suggestions contained in it and for the typical meaning of the term, for which the object must always be considered as a unit-totality that cannot be expressed with the whole of the parts that constitute it. In this sense his sculptures seem to possess a real spiritual energy. It is not measurable but it is possible to warn it. In his first exhibition in Italy, a careful selection of new sculptures tries to describe the ancient and contemporary work of an artist who “feels” and “dialogues” with the material, transforms it, allowing it to tell each time a different story.
Works
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
38
39
“During the sculpting process the element of fire is my primary tool. This powerful force of creation provides me with a deep connection to nature and life itself. The observation of burning flames, sparks and galactic activity draws me to the extraordinary, almost celestial dimension of this work with its potential for fantasy and escape. The light, heat and fire energy permit me to give birth to an entirely new entity. Looking at the finished piece of art I can see it in its entirety; from its humble metal beginnings through the creative process and into new and diverse textures, forms and surfaces. Each sculpture gradually takes on a life of its own and, using me as its tool, develops its own personality.” Nimrod began his creative life at a very young age sculpting in his father’s workshop. Over the years he has developed an eclectic and unique style greatly sought after both internationally and here in his home on the coast of Spain. After travelling for many years all over the world Nimrod finally settled in Marbella, Spain in 1999, setting up his own business creating bespoke architectural furniture. His pieces are crafted artistically solely from wrought iron and are evident in numerous of the most exclusive properties in and around Marbella. Following the success of Messeg Design, Nimrod has turned his focus to his true talent and love of artistic sculpture.Nimrod developed his personal and direct artisan method of sculpting iron. He uses ancient forging techniques, welding, power hammering, the plasma torch, etc. which enable him to create textures, shapes and effects that give his sculptures a unique style and appearance. These methods permit him to take this brutal metal and transform it into something beautiful, gentle, light, curvaceous… even soft.“The versatility of iron is impressive once you understand its properties and realise its capabilities”, says Nimrod. He has formed feathered birds, shapely female torsos, muscular animals and facial expressions – all of which have nothing in common with the material from which they were created.”
contents
Contents
8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28-29 30-31 32-33 34-35 36-37 37-38 41-42
Arigato | Cm. 83 x 43 x 10 Masaya | Cm. 74 x 48 x 16 Apollo | Cm. 120 x 90 x 20 Ogun | Cm. 105 x 63 x 25 Clio | Cm. 97 x 30 x 40 Giselle Cm. 82 x 71 x 25 Noa | Cm. 160 x 88 x 35 Khailash | Cm. 91 x 33 x 33 Joisin | Cm. 78 x 31 x 25 Kali | Cm. 96 x 31 x 25 Tulsi | Cm. 98 x 30 x 25 Parvarti | Cm. 118 x 25 x 25 Aia | Cm. 136 x 45 x 45 Huayra Tata | Cm. 126 x 105 x 36 Levitating | Cm. 67 x 77 x 33 - Darago | Cm. 69 x 31 x 18 Sath | Cm. 86 x 44 x 25 - Ananda | Cm. 90 x 39 x 25 Altea | Cm. 99 x 76 x 20 - Touran | Cm. 99 x 76 x 20
Photos by Nimrod Messeg & Patrick Pii | Layout & Graphics by iSculpture Art Gallery Introduction Text by Patrick Pii | Interview by Nimrod Messeg iSculpture Gallery San Gimignano +39 348 93 30 487 | www.isculpture.it | info@isculpture.it
Printed in August 2019 All Rights Reserved
iSculpture Italian Contemporary Sculpture Gallery