Artist: Aníbal Catalán
Campo Dinámico
April 17 – May 17, 2015
Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro
Querétaro, Mexico
Solo show by Aníbal Catalán.
May 5, 2015 Aníbal Catalán: untitled unit until the lit let the litter https://abstractioninaction.com/happenings/anibal-catalan-untitled-unit-lit-let-litter/Artist: Aníbal Catalán
untitled unit until the lit let the litter
February 7 – March 28, 2015
Yautepec Galería
Mexico City, Mexico
Solo exhibition by Mexican artist Aníbal Catalán.
January 30, 2015 Aníbal Catalán: Beyond Limits, Postglobal Mediations https://abstractioninaction.com/happenings/anibal-catalan-beyond-limits-postglobal-mediations/Artists: Bank og Rau, Hector Canonge, Anibal Catalan, Charlie Citron, Cesar Cornejo, Einar & Jamex de la Torre, Blane de St. Croix, Heather Dewey-Hagborg, Ira Eduardovna, Glenda & Jesse Drew, Angela Freiberger, Marlon Griffith, Pablo Helguera, Debby & Larry Kline, Arun Kumar, JaeWook Lee, Mary Mattingly, Saul Melman, Yunmi Her, Oyvind Renberg & Miho Shimizu, Margaret Noble, Don Porcella, Mei Xian Qiu, Jose Hugo Sanchez, Zachary Royer Scholz, Adriana Varella, Alex Villar, Theis Wendt.
Beyond Limits, Postglobal Mediations
October 4 – November 15, 2014
San Diego Art Institute
San Diego, CA, USA
Curated by SDAI Executive Director Ginger Shulick Porcella and Brazilian curator Denise Carvalho, this exhibition will demonstrate that the future of the arts lies on a borderless, multidimensional circuit of experimentation. Featuring both local and international artists, “Beyond Limits” will bypass all borders that create hierarchies or limit the exchange of ideas. The exhibition will feature a series of lectures, performances, and video screenings.
“Beyond Limits” is an exhibition in which artists have envisioned a world without boundaries—whether physical, racial, technological, or psychological. “Beyond Limits” will bypass all national representations and increase the focus on a multinational, multicultural, multi-identity, multimedia, and multi-language based society. This exhibition is held in tandem with the international Mediational Biennale, occurring in parallel exhibitions in distinct international venues and museums including the Mediations Biennale in Poznan, Poland; Museo de la Ciudad, urugual; Petah Tikva Museum in Israel; MareArticum—Baltic Contemporary Art Biennale, Nakanajo Biennale, Japan; and the Kunsthall Fuast in Hanover, Germany.
October 3, 2014 Aníbal Catalán: AKA : POLCO https://abstractioninaction.com/happenings/anibal-catalan-aka-polco/Artists: Aníbal Catalán
AKA : POLCO
March 30 – July 13, 2014
Gran Centro Cultural Acapulco
Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
La Gran Galería del Centro Cultural Acapulco es la sede más importante del arte contemporáneo en Guerrero, donde fue inaugurada la obra estética y visual Aka:polco, del artista guerrerense Aníbal Catalán, acompañado por el secretario de Cultura del estado, Arturo Martínez Núñez.
De acuerdo a un comunicado de prensa, el secretario Arturo Martínez señaló a Aníbal Catalán, como el artista más importante de Guerrero por su trayectoria y representatividad a nivel internacional, y se congratuló que su obra Aka:polco, que aborda un concepto sobre el puerto de Acapulco, pueda ser disfrutada por acapulqueños y visitantes en la Gran Galería.
Asimismo, Aníbal Catalán agradeció la oportunidad que se le brinda de exposición en un espacio “tan apropiado como éste, que ya quisieran tenerlo en cualquier ciudad”, y expuso que el proceso creativo para esta muestra implicó viajar varias veces al puerto, además de un montaje de cinco días.
El artista Aníbal Catalán nació en la ciudad de Iguala en 1973; cuenta con una formación inicial en Arquitectura y con estudios en Artes Plásticas en la Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado La Esmeralda; su actual quehacer se apropia de los procesos de conceptualización de la arquitectura, así como en sus herramientas de producción.
El trabajo del igualteco se ha exhibido en la ciudad de México, así como en Los Ángeles, San Francisco, Suiza y Beijing. Su obra forma parte de la CAN Foundation (Contemporary Art Network Foundation) en Seoul. Korea, y de la Friedrich Ebert Foundation. FES Berlín. Ger, así como de la colección del Museo de Arte Moderno de México MAM y de la Estampa de la Casa, proyecto de apoyo a la producción de obra en el estado de Guerrero. La exposición Aka:Polco utiliza diferentes medios como la escultura, la gráfica digital, instalaciones de sitio específico y video, donde el objeto de estudio de Anibal Catalán es la arquitectura y el paisaje. Este proyecto derivó de la observación y la contemplación durante una serie de caminatas por Acapulco: dentro de las piezas de formato mural denominadas Zonas Morfológicas. La exposición Aka:polco en la Gran Galería forma parte de La Estampa de la Casa y podrá ser visitada hasta el 13 de Julio del presente año en el Centro Cultural Acapulco.
July 23, 2014 Aníbal Catalán: The Land, The Space, The Square https://abstractioninaction.com/happenings/anibal-catalan-land-space-square-2/Artist: Aníbal Catalán
The Land, The Space, The Square
February 6 – April 13, 2014
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Boulder, CO, USA
Anibal Catalan: The Land, The Space, The Square presents a series of site-specific installations, paintings, video works, drawings and digital prints by Mexico City-based artist Anibal Catalan. Trained as an architect, Catalan creates new spaces using a variety of artistic methods and media. Stimulating dialoge between different media, he combines environments that exist amid two and three dimensionalities. Catalan redefines, or more appropriately, dissolves conventional notions of interior and exterior spaces. His works are unorthodox manifestations of architectural ideas oscillating between metaphysical explorations of urban space and real concern for environments we inhabit.
Catalan cites the 20th-century Russian avant-garde movements of Suprematism and Constructivism as important influences on his work. He adopts different aspects of each movement’s visual language and utopian sentimentalities through his integration of architecture, design and art. The title of the exhibition, The Land, The Space, The Square, is a specific reference to Suprematism—an abstract movement that utilized basic geometric forms and a limited color palette to emphasize pure artistic feeling over the visual depiction of an object. “The Square” is a direct reference to Russian artist Kazimir Malevich’s famous paintings of squares created in the early 20th century.
To accompany this new series of paintings, Catalan has created a large wall painting that spans the West Gallery. Using acrylic paint, he invents architectural landscapes on various surfaces. Bold color constrains and expands the spaces of the wall or canvas. The wall painting becomes a backdrop for the large sculptural installation that hangs between the columns of the main gallery. Made from industrial materials and fluorescent lights, it becomes a three-dimensional extension of the wall painting. Fragmented geometric shapes build layers of flattened area with implied dimensionality, and materiality dissolves to liberate the space. The viewer is invited into a shifting construction—one that is not closed or strictly defined, but open to multiple perspectives and interpretations.
Anibal Catalan was born in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico in 1973. He lives and works in Mexico City. Catalan studied fine arts at La Esmeralda in Mexico City from 2001-2006 and attended the School of Architecture at Anahuac University from 1993-1997. His work has been exhibited internationally in both solo and group exhibitions including CAN Seoul, CAN Beijing, MARCO Contemporary Art Museum (Monterrey, Mexico), MASS MoCA, Museo de Arte Moderno (Mexico City), Les Rencontres Internacionales Paris-Berlin-Madrid (Centre Pompidou, Museo Nacional Reina Sofia), and Haus der Kulturen der Welt HKW. Catalan was the recipient of the prestigious Mexican FONCA Creator’s Grant 2011-2013. Most recently, he has been awarded a major commission with the Denver International Airport. The Land, The Space, The Square is the first solo museum exhibition of Anibal Catalan’s work in the United States.
An article about this exhibition is here
March 27, 2014 Aníbal Catalán: The Land, The Space, The Square https://abstractioninaction.com/happenings/anibal-catalan-land-space-square/Aníbal Catalán: The Land, The Space, The Square
February 6 – April 13, 2014
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Colorado, USA
Anibal Catalan: The Land, The Space, The Square is the first solo museum exhibition in the United States by Mexico City-based artist Anibal Catalan. The exhibition presents a series of site-specific installations, new paintings, video works, drawings and digital prints that will be displayed in the museum’s West and East galleries. Anibal Catalan was born in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico 1973 and lives and works in Mexico City.
January 12, 2014 Aníbal Catalán https://abstractioninaction.com/artists/anibal-catalan/Translated from Spanish
My work is based in the fusion of two-dimensional and three-dimensional mediums, from traditional painting to site-specific installations, using architecture as a language that allows me to dialogue within different forms of representation.
The Works emerge and are comprised of traditional basics in visual compositions, adjusting to the limits of the utilized support, in this case, the architectural space.
Architecture is transformed not only in a form of rational and constructive processes in the use of matter in a functional manner. In my work, architecture transforms itself in something that goes beyond. Everything in this world, each thing, as simple as it may be, has architecture of its own. To me, the real meaning of architecture is found in its perception, visualization and reception, in terms of a formal-conceptual production of visual elements. Improvisation is a basic principle related to necessities that have to be solved. The most basic and ancient architecture is based on improvisation, to be adjusted to certain functions and aesthetic solutions.
The principle of my sculptural installations has avant-garde aesthetics from the beginning of the 20th century as their main reference, using Russian Constructivism as a model, and integrating thoughts and aesthetics derived from de-constructivism.
The use of pictorial and sculptural elements establishes a dialogic resistance and interaction. On the other hand, it represents a compositional structure that works in relation to elements of tension and suspension, where time and contemplation provoke a state of uncertainty, through the improvisation of forms, used construction elements and materials and arranged in real spaces, as a tactic of domestic, utopic and experimental architecture.
Mi trabajo se basa en la fusión de medios bidimensionales y tridimensionales; de pintura tradicional a instalaciones de sitio específico. Utilizando la arquitectura como un lenguaje que me permite el diálogo entre diferentes formas de representación.
Las obras surgen y se componen de fundamentos tradicionales en composiciones plásticas, ajustándose a los límites del soporte utilizado, en este caso, el espacio arquitectónico.
La arquitectura se convierte no sólo en una forma de procesos racionales y constructivos del uso de masas de una manera funcional. En mi trabajo la arquitectura se convierte en algo que va más allá. Todo en este mundo, cada cosa, por más simple que sea tiene una arquitectura en sí misma, para mí el significado real de la arquitectura se encuentra en su percepcion, visualizacion y recepcion, en términos de una producción formal-conceptual de elementos plasticos.
La improvisación es un principio básico en relación con todas las necesidades que tienen que ser resueltas. La arquitectura en sus formas más básicas y antiguas es en primer termino improvisación para ajustarse a determinadas funciones y soluciones esteticas.
El principio de mis instalaciones escultóricas tiene como referencia principal a estéticas de la vanguardia de principios del siglo XX, teniendo como modelo el Constructivismo ruso principalmente e integrando pensamientos y esteticas derivados del deconstructivismo.
El uso de elementos pictóricos y escultóricos establece, en un sentido, una resistencia y una interacción dialógica. Por otro lado, representa una estructura compositiva que trabaja en relación con elementos de tensión y suspenso, en donde el tiempo y la contemplación provocan un estado de incertidumbre, a través de la improvisación de formas, elementos y materiales constructivos usados y dispuestos en espacios reales como una forma de arquitectura doméstica, utopica y experimental.
Selected Biographical Information
Education / Training
- 2006: Lic. Artes Plasticas ENPEG La Esmeralda. Mexico DF, Mexico.
- 1997: Escuale de Arq. Universidad Anahuac. Mexico DF, Mexico.
Prizes / Fellowships
- 2011-2013: Sistema Nacional de Creadores. FONCA, Mexico.
- 2007: Premio de Adquisicion Pintura.Universidad de Guadalajara UAG. Mexico.
- 2007: Mencion Honorifica. Diesel New Art Estocolmo.
- 2006: Mencion Honorifica. WTC Art Fest 06. Mexico City. Mexico.
- 2006: Premio de Adquisicion Pintura. Auditorio Nacional-UNAM.
- 2004-2005: Mencion Honorifica y beca de Produccion. Mex-Am Foundation.
- 2004-2005: Jovenes Creadores (Pintura). FONCA, Mexico.
Solo Exhibitions
- 2013: “Out of Order”, Salt Fine Art, Laguna Beach, USA.
- 2013: “Supremat”, Yautepec Gallery, Mexico City, Mexico.
- 2013: “Oktubre”, Polyforum Siqueiros, Mexico City, Mexico.
- 2011: “CCC Project Reading the Space”, Space CAN Seoul – CAN Foundation Seoul, South Korea.
- 2011: “Reading the Space / Anibal Catalan”, Space CAN Beijing – CAN Foundation, Beijing, China.
- 2010: “Open Sky”, Drexel Proyectos, Monterrey, Mexico.
- 2009: “Overlap / Anibal Catalan”, La Estacion Arte Contemporáneo, Mexico City, Mexico.
- 2008: “Overland”, Steve Turner Contemporary, Los Angeles, USA.
- 2007: “Free & Mobile”, Gallery 415, San Francisco, USA.
Group Exhibitions
- 2013: “Mesocosmos”, MARCO Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico.
- 2012: “Meta Empire”, (Special Exhibition Daegu Photo Biennale) EXCO Daegu Exhibition Center, Daegu, Korea.
- 2012: “After the Future”, Eva International Biennial of Visual Art, Limerick City, Ireland.
- 2012: “An Exchange with Sol LeWitt”, MASS MoCA, USA.
- 2010: “Cimbra: Formas Especulativas y Armados Metafísicos”, Museo de Arte Moderno MAM, Mexico City, Mexico.
- 2010: “Mongolia 360 ̊ 1st International Land Art Biennial”, National Mongolian Modern Art Gallery, Ulan Bator, Mongolia.
- 2008: “Its Not Easy”, Exit Art, New York, USA.
- 2008: “Proyectos para Desconstruccion”, MUCA Roma, Mexico City, Mexico.
- 2008: “XIV National Painting Biennial Rufino Tamayo”, Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporaneo, Mexico City, Mexico.
- 2008: “Qui vive”, I Moscow International Biennale for Young Art. Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Moscow, Russia.
- 2006: “Premio Internacional de Pintura Expandida”, Museo de Castellon, Castellon de la Plana, Spain.
Publications
- 2013: “Mesocosmos.” MARCO Monterrey. Catalogo.
- 2012: “Carga Util 39 Artistas Contemporaneos en el MAM,” Museo de Arte Moderno. Catalogo.
- 2012: “After the Future,” Eva International Biennial of Art, Catalogo.
- 2011: “Reading the Space / Anibal Catalan.” Catalogo ,CAN Foundation, Seoul, South Korea.
- 2012: “The Wave.” Museum of Latin American Art MoLAA. Catalago.
- 2012: “Selections from the Sayago & Pardon Collection.” L.A. ArtCore Center.
- 2012: “Memorias,” MUCA Roma 2006-2009.
- 2012: “Textofilia No 19.” Anuario 2010-2011. Pags.72-81
- 2010: “Art Nexus No. 78.”
- 2010: “Art in America,” September 2008 . No 8. Pags. 175,176
- 2010: “Destellos de la Pintura en Mexico 200 años.” Editorial MVS.
- 2010: “Fonca 20 Años,” Conaculta.
- 2010: “Almost Utopia,” 18th street Annual Program Catalogue. Pages 5-11. Jan 2010
- 2009: “THE Magazine.” Feb-March.2009
- 2009: “Art Scene TM,” March 2009. Vol.28 No.7
- 2009: “M-Art. Emerging Artist Guide,” 2009 vol.2
- 2008: “Art Nexus. No 66.”
- 2008: “Los Angeles Times.” 06/28/2008
- 2007: “L.A Weekly.” 04/26/2007
Collections
- MAM Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico.
- MARCO Museo de Arte Contempoiraneo de Monterrey, Mexico.
- IGC Instituto Guerrerense de la Cultura, Mexico.
- Friedrich Ebert Stiftung FES, Berlin, Germany.
- CAN Foundation, Seoul, South Korea.
- GLM Comunicaciones, Mexico.
- Private Collections (Mexico, USA, Denmark, Finland, Colombia, Russia, Korea, Canada, Italy, Spain).
- Aníbal Catalán, “Zona Morfologica / Supremat”, 2013, Series: Zona Morfologica, Acrylic on canvas, 120 x 180 cm. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Zona Morfologica / Downtown”, 2011, Series: Zona Morfologica, Acrylic on canvas, 120 x 180 cm. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Zona Morfologica / Supremat 2”, 2011, Series: Zona Morfologica, Acrylic on canvas, 120 x 180 cm. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Zona Morfo”, 2011, Series: Zona Morfologica, Acrylic on canvas, 140 x 140 cm. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Vorticity”, 2013, Installation, Variable dimensions, Coleccion MARCO Monterrey. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Zona Morfologica”, 2010, Installation, Variable dimensions, Coleccion MAM Mexico. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Morphological Zone”, 2012, Installation, Variable dimensions, Yautepec Gallery Mexico. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Babel”, 2011, Mixed media, 185 x 20 x 20 cm. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Barricada Suprematista”, 2012, Mixed media, Variable dimensions. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist and Yautepec Gallery.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Proun”, 2011, Series: Proun, Installation, Variable dimensions, Yautepec Gallery Mexico. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Overland”, 2008, Mixed media, Variable dimensions. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Instant Architectures”, 2011, Series: Instant Architectures, Mixed media, Variable dimensions. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Morpho”, 2011, Mixed media, Variable dimensions, EXPLUM Collection, Spain. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Babel”, 2009, Single channel video 2 mins. 19 sec, Still image from video. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
- Aníbal Catalán, “Top 10”, Single channel video 9 mins. 29 sec, Still image from video. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.