Institut Ramon LLull

Who Wants To Be An Impatient Gardener (!?)

Culture.  New York, 23/11/2017

The Abrons Arts Center presents Who Wants To Be An Impatient Gardener (!?), a project by artist and scientist Pep Vidal, curated by Xavier Acarín, Abrons’ 2016-17 Curator in Residency. This exhibition will be held simultaneously at the Abrons and at the ADN Gallery in Barcelona.




This project started in September 2016, when Vidal bought the entire stock of a plant store in Barcelona. His goal was to measure the variations and interactions of more than 300 plants, evaluating, among other factors, their surface, volume, color, humidity, and light. Vidal soon realized that he required a watering schedule for each plant. He developed his research in collaboration with his colleagues at the optics group in the physics department at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. By using lasers to measure the cells' composition and the water accumulation in leaves, Vidal and his colleagues are developing a methodology with several potential applications, from the early detection of diseases to sustainable agricultural systems. This research is currently being developed in partnership with other institutions, including the Botanical Institute of Barcelona. The team will soon publish the results in various scientific journals.

One of the aims of the project is to provide a more accurate system of measurements, something that mobilizes the artistic and scientific fields towards a questioning of human perspectives. Historically, exploitation has been associated with a model of economic profit based on a visual organization of the world, such as lineal perspective. The quest for a different approach to elements and entities suggests proximity to the object of study that could potentially be directed towards other models of production, economic development, and knowledge. By artistically addressing these concerns, the artist mobilizes a set of preoccupations that consider the variability of matter and the systemic circumstances of any entity, either human or non-human.

On Wednesday, December 13, at 6.30 p.m., Dr. Diana Reese, Professor of comparative literature with an emphasis on German and French 18th Century literature and philosophy, will join Pep Vidal and Xavier Acarín in a conversation about the project.

Pep Vidal (Barcelona, 1980). Degree in Mathematics at Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (UAB) (2008). Special interest in infinitesimal calculus, topology, and infinite series. PhD in Physics in UAB and ALBA synchrotron (2014). Thesis research about mathematical algorithms for improving accuracy of instruments used in particle accelerators. I have two important conclusions from here: there are some extremely sensitive and complex systems; and I’m not interested in research that doesn’t include my own experience and vital life in the process. Advanced course in Contemporary Art in A*Desk (2011-12), conducted by David Armengol. Resident artist at Hangar, Barcelona, 2013-15, FARE, Milano, 2013 and Casa de Velázquez, Madrid, 2014. Residencies: Hangar, Barcelona, 2013-2015; FARE, Milano, Oct-Dec 2013; Casa Velázquez, Oct-Dec 2014. Grants and prizes: International Visual Arts Grant Fundación Botín 2016-17, Propuestas 2014 VEGAP (Visual Arts), Generaciones 2015, Miguel Casablancas 2014, ICUB La Capella 2013. Solo shows at ADN Gallery (2015, Barcelona), Rolando Anselmi Gallery (2015, Berlin), Capella de Sant Roc (2015, Valls), Art-O-Rama (2014, Marsella), L21 Gallery (2014, Madrid), Sal´on (2013, Madrid), Espai Cub La Capella (2013, Barcelona). Last group shows in L21 Gallery (Madrid, 2016), Antoni Tàpies Foundation (curated by Oriol Fontdevila, 2015), Caixaforum Barcelona (curated by Juan Canela, 2015), VII Bienal de Jafre (curated by Carolina Grau Rahola, 2015), Fabbrica del Vapore, EXPO 2015, Generaciones 2015, La Casa Encendida, Madrid and Lisboa, 2015, OTR (curated by Carolina Castro, 2015). Colletion: Anny De Decker private colletion, Antwerpen; Francisco Cantos private colletion, Madrid; Urbano private colletion , Madrid; Montemadrid Foundation, Madrid; Arxiu del Centre d’Estudis i Documentació del MACBA, Barcelona; Centro de Documentación y Biblioteca del MNCARS, Madrid; Museum of Modern Art Library, New York.

This project has received the support of Institut Ramon Llull.   

 

A Project by Pep Vidal

Curated by Xavier Acarín

Abrons Arts Center

466 Grand St. New York

November 25 – December 26, 2017

Opening Reception: Saturday December 2, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Conversation between Pep Vidal, Dr. Diana Reese, and Xavier Acarín: Wednesday December 13, 6.30 p.m.

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