For a solo show in the series “Visionary Collection” concurrent to the exhibition Contructed Vision – Concrete and Abstract Art from Latin America. The Ella Fontanals-Cisneros Collection, we have invited Paris-based artist Elias Crespin. His two works Hiperficie from 2010 and Trinet 2011 – the latter was specifically developed for this exhibition at the Haus Konstruktiv – demonstrate in an exemplary manner that the resonance of art history remains relevant even for a younger generation, even while it addresses new themes: Elias Crespin, born in 1965 in Caracas, originally studied computer science, but has always been fascinated by the Constructivist and Kinetic tendencies of Latin American art. Inspired and stimulated particularly by the works of Jésus Rafael Soto, he started creating art himself in 2000. Crespin is profoundly familiar with mathematical structures and technical possibilities of implementing them, using both for his unique kinetic objects. Positioning himself in the tradition of Venezuelan Constructivist approaches, he accomplishes a poetic and highly sensitive transformation of forms. The influence of his grandmother Gego – some valuable works of hers are on view in the Cisneros Collection – is noticeable, but does not detract from Crespin’s new and unmistakably personal style. His wire structures, seemingly hovering in the air, are moved by invisible motors integrated into the hanging construction. Computer programs fire impulses that bestow Crespin’s installations ever new forms of appearance. Each one of his works follows a loop of roughly 12 to 14 minutes. Elias Crespin’s objects bridge the gap between technology and poetry, between geometry and playful metamorphosis. Museum Haus Konstruktiv Stiftung für konstruktive, konkrete und konzeptuelle Kunst Selnaustrasse 25 Zürich, Switzerland www.hauskonstruktiv.ch Photographs courtesy Museum Haus Konstruktiv
