Exhibition: VERENA GUTHER / AGNES DAELLENBACH / BARTOLOMé MONTES-LOPEZ: “Stories of Transition”

The latest group exhibition at the Python Gallery shows the works of three artists, who at first glance could not appear to be more different. Yet they all have one thing in common, their works all deal with change. The German artist Verena Guther holds in her photocompositions the alterations she makes to well-known cities.

Agnes Dallenbach, the French-Swiss artist, creates works that reveals or hides different layers of words and faces, and so transforms our view.

Finally, the Spaniard, Brtolome Montes Lopes shows with his sculptures, which he creates, using his own technique with paper and cardboard, how people and traditions are changed and reshaped and the direct impact it has.

The exhibition ‘Stories of Transition’ can be seen at the Python Gallery, Dorfstrasse 2, Erlenbach (Zürich), from November 14, 2013 until January 4, 2014.

Agnes Dallenbach: Works, let us look deeper

In her abstract works, created with a fascinating technique, comes change: Agnes Dallenbach now weaves components of figures, like faces, into her pictures, thereby creating another level. Words too, find their way into her work – such as ‘why’ or ‘why not’, almost as a query as to why we decide for or against something in particular – in the context of our own transition. Dallenbach works using a special mixed media technique (wood, plastic, epoxy resin). Through the shimmer of the resin, the faces and words can appear sharply or faintly. With the layered application of the epoxy resin, the works achieve a radiant luminosity.

Verena Guther: Composed views of world cities

At first glance, panoramic views of cities do not differ greatly. With a second look, however, they do. It is precisely this differing view that is presented by German artist, Verena Guther. Despite globalization, Guther comes to know the identity of a metropolis, its rhythm and its unique character. On the trail of distinctiveness, she compresses structural motifs and colour accents into an exciting, flowing photomontage. With her many-layered process of reorganization, she sets the character, structure and rhythm of a city free. Her sensible playing with structures, perspectives and atmospheric colour draws attention to the aesthetically and architecturally attractive components of world cities such as Shanghai, New York, and in her latest series, Frankfurt – so unique and distinctive. Through her technique, combining photography and painting, the viewer is often uncertain whether or not the perspective is true to reality.

Bartolome Montes Lopez: Time stories of transformation

An older bride and groom – and the groom sticks his tongue (or the common life) out at the bride. Time has done something to this couple. Traces of time show up in faces and grimaces. Bartolome Montes Lopez belongs to the emerging, young Spanish artists. Nicole Python is showing his work for the first time in Switzerland. So also with the matador who has lost his left eye bullfighting, and now continues to fight half blind. With reverence and respect, and ready to go until the last. Montes Lopez works with cardboard, textile and colour. His technique is new and therefore holds a very special fascination. His figures are all caregivers who are changing, or who are created from change. The viewer also sees the sculptures as a kind of caricature or even as grotesque. Bartolome Montes Lopez wants to provoke; this is a pure intention.