PRESS RELEASE
VÉRONIQUE CHALANDAR @ DANIEL-KAYNE’S
*Media Preview: Wednesday March 24th at 11am (daniel-kayne's studio)*
The Texan-French Alliance for the Arts (TFAA) presents the exhibition of French sculptor Véronique Chalandar’s work at artistdaniel-kayne’s Houston studio. This project marks a continuation of the TFAA’s mission to facilitate artistic initiatives between Texas and France. The presentation of Véronique Chalandar’s exhibition at daniel-kayne’s studio is a new concept of artistic exchange and mutual promotion implemented for the first time by the TFAA.
On March 26th, the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts will unveil a temporary exhibition of sculptures by Parisian artist Véronique Chalandar, at Houston artist daniel-kayne’s studio, as a part of the events for the French Cultures Festival.
Inauguration of the exhibition:
At daniel-kayne’s studio
2300 McKinney, studio #403
Houston, TX 77003
March 26th, 2010
From 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
The inauguration will feature a selection of Véronique’s work including the first public presentation of the “Totem” series and 5 special editions from the “Originelles” series.
These “Originelles” pieces, made in Houston, were inspired by the feminine characters of Federico Garcia Lorca’s play “The House of Bernarda Alba” and specifically created as the scenic design of Et Voilà Théâtre’s production of the play (March 6th-20th, at Talento Bilingüe, Houston).
The evening will be a creative journey of exchange and inspiration: contemporary music group Musiqa will present Rob Smith’s "Break Point" and a World Premiere composition by Marcus Maroney, inspired by the exhibition. Both pieces, for percussion, will be performed by Blake Wilkins.
Following the inauguration, the exhibition will be open weekly Wednesday through Saturday, from 5pm to 8pm, until April 17th.
Additional visits available upon appointment (713-822-2060).
Further information is available at: www.texanfrenchalliance.org/veroniquechalandar-danielkayne.
ABOUT VÉRONIQUE CHALANDAR:
Véronique’s work reflects her life and her musings, a physical exploration of how to get to the heart of matter, making it tell stories and invent worlds. Véronique is a go-between, hinting at ideas without revealing much. Each sculpture may deliver a key or not.
Véronique's joy as a sculptor is to explore different materials that represent diverse languages or means of expression: taming clay, mastering steel and settling into the rhythm of plaster. Véronique’s creative process is to let the material express different facets of her universe while resorting to introspection and reflection, transformed at a later stage into energy and oneness with the material.
Over the past few years, Véronique has been drawn towards less figurative creations and larger volumes. A fundamental element of this change was Véronique’s connection with steel. One unique component regarding Véronique's work is the fact that she uses recycled steel, sometimes over 100 years old. Thus, to create her sculptures, Véronique uses tools typically associated with the craft of welding.
In the meantime, the "Originelles" began two years ago as an exploration of the female essence, its complexity and historical importance. The artist’s vision is that, as a series, hundreds of “Originelles” will one day be reunited in a single location, regardless of where they were originally made. The sculptures are aerial and slender, extending to 10 feet in height, thus enhancing the internal grandeur of womankind, while remaining free of traditional representations.
The “Totem” series is Véronique’s latest creative endeavor, figuring out a universal reflection inspired by the emblematic strength of totems in different cultures. This exhibition will mark the first time the beginning of the series is presented to the public.
Véronique currently works and lives in Paris, France. For more information and to view Véronique’s work, please seewww.veroniquechalandar.com.
ABOUT DANIEL-KAYNE:
Born in the Gulf Coast town of Liberty, Texas, daniel-kayne’s artistic roots began in a family with a long history of ranchers and farmers in a hands-on environment where he was always creating, building or learning. His brother, cousins and he played out what was a Huckleberry Finn-like childhood. They were explorers, scientists and hunters: fishing, camping and climbing trees in the middle of dense woods and hiking the marshes around their Texas homes.
As he grew older, whether it was carpentry or other projects he got his hands on, Daniel’s fascination with the act of creating ignited an insatiable passion for what was to become his career as an artist. The explorer in daniel-kayne has taken him to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
In 2000, daniel-kayne received his Masters Degree from the University of Houston. In 2006, he attended the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston before moving to New York City to continue his studies and partake in a painting residency at the New York School of Visual Arts.
In 2008, daniel-kayne was honored twice: as the first place winner of Lawndale Art Center’s Big Show then as the winner of the TFAA Art Recognition Award.
Currently, daniel-kayne lives and works in his home town, Houston, Texas, as well as San Francisco and New York.
For more information and to view daniel-kayne’s work, please see www.daniel-kayne.com
ABOUT THE TEXAN-FRENCH ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS:
The Texan-French Alliance for the Arts (also known as TFAA) is a 501c(3) non-profit cultural organization. It was funded in 2005 by former Consul General of France, Denis Simmoneau and the Levant Foundation, and supported by a group of enthusiastic Francophile foundations, corporations and individuals. With the aim of fostering enrichment through cultural exchange between Texas and France, the TFAA has already facilitated over 20 Texan-French events and programs.
Under the aegis of the TFAA and the continuous support of the Consulate General of France in Houston, these varied artistic partnerships serve to promote new artists and expose audiences of today and tomorrow to the appreciation of different art forms, thus strengthening cultural awareness between Texas and France.
For more information on the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts: www.texanfrenchalliance.org
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For information about the upcoming exhibit, image requests, or for general media inquiries, please contact Vanessa Abahashemi or Claire Matz at info@texanfrenchalliance.org or 713-822-2060.
