Pep Vidal | As A Whole

About

The artist, linking scientific thought as life experience to his artistic practice, works with the concepts of systems and infinitesimal changes. Changes really small that take place constantly, everywhere, along a chaotic and almost infinite chain. Infinitesimal changes that produce bigger and visible changes. For his show As a Whole, Vidal will present a site-specific installation in the first room, transforming the white wall gallery space in a coordinate system. From a distance it appears as an obsessive repetition of points, with a blurry effect, but after a closed look, one realizes that these points are actually a regular succession of yellow smiley faces, covering the four sides and the ceiling of the room. Thousands of eyes pointed toward the center, staring at the visitor. Starting point for Vidal is the oftenimperceptible impact that all gestures have on their surroundings and the consideration that each space with any kind of interaction is a system that can be modified, or destroyed, in order to create new systems. Systems are constantly modifying due to infinitesimal changes. In this occasion Vidal builds a coordinate system where spectators, as dynamic elements, are the main focus, together with other static elements, which are working with the accuracy and limits of control of the system. The viewer, moving around the space, is in a way continuously repositioning itself in relation to the system created by the artist. The repetitive, controlled, measured nature of the coordinates confronts with the lightness and friendly appearance of the yellow smileys, as a reminder of the numerous dichotomies that characterize our reality. Suddenly we see a sculpture, Collapse, coming out from the wall. It is a column made by smileys stickers, one on the top of the other, representing the unexpected collapse of the coordinate system, standing as metaphor of destruction and recreation. Using science as the basis of his methodology, Pep Vidal recreates a singular space and a theoretical framework in the unresolved attempt to investigate chaotic and orderly processes that define our reality and questioning the creative act itself.

BIOGRAPHY

Pep Vidal (Barcelona, 1980) obtained in 2008 a degree in Mathematics at Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (UAB). In 2014 obtained his PhD in Physics at UAB and ALBA synchrotron, working on mathematical algorithms for improving accuracy of instruments used in particle accelerators. From his academic background he reached two conclusions: "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". Between 2011 and 2012 he followed an advanced course in Contemporary Art in A*Desk, conducted by David Armengol. He is Co-founder of granja.cat, a project focused on spreading mathematical culture - especially to children - through workshops, talks and other activities. Pep Vidal exhibited in international institutions and private galleries such as La Casa Encendida, Madrid (2015), La Fabbrica del Vapore, Milano (2015), L21 Gallery, Madrid (2014, 2015), Fundació Antoni Tapies, Barcelona (2014), La Capella, Barcelona (2013), LABoral Centro de Arte, Gijon (2012) and Salón, Madrid (2013). His works are included in art collections such as Anny De Decker Collection, Antwerpen, Francisco Cantos Collection, Madrid, Urbano Collection, Madrid, Fundación Montemadrid, Madrid, Arxiu del Centre d’Estudis i Documentació del MACBA, Barcelona, Centro de Documentación y Biblioteca del MNCARS, Madrid and MoMA Library, New York. In 2014 he was selected for Propuestas VEGAP 2014, with the project "From nothing to void" and awarded with the Miquel Casablancas prize (publication), presenting his PhD thesis as an artist book. At the beginning of 2015 he was awarded with the prize Generaciones 2015 of the Fundación Montemadrid with the project "Following the (Magnetic) North Pole.