Mrugen Rathod "Let US Face The Future"
Maiden Lane Exhibition Space
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The Time Equities, Inc. Art-in-Buildings program presents Mrugen Rathod’s Let US Face the Future at the Maiden Lane Exhibition Space.
Let US Face the Future is a site-specific sculptural installation constructed from scrap cardboard and wood that the artist describes as a “prototype of Manhattan, NY.” Rathod repurposed these commonplace materials to create massive constructions that resemble missiles and skyscrapers. Each component acts as a singular unit that references multiple structures of power, displaying the duality of America’s assumed prosperity and supremacy via destruction and construction. Rathod developed the work as part of the 2012 Art Omi International Artists Residency program at Omi International Arts Center in upstate New York and adapted the piece for the Maiden Lane Exhibition Space. This residency was Rathod’s first visit to the United States, and the work is a reflection on his initial experience in New York City.
Rathod works with found, recycled, and traditional Indian craft techniques to create site-responsive works, often incorporating sculpture, performance, and/or installation. His practice focuses on social and environmental concerns and engages directly with the local environment and community issues. The site-specificity of his work allows Rathod to tailor his installations to the existing environment and create an integrated, unified atmosphere that becomes engaging and entirely new.
Mrugren Rathod was born in 1982 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in visual art (sculpture) from the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India in 2008 and 2010, respectively. Based in Vadodara, Rathod has exhibited across India, this is the first presentation of his work in the United States.
Let US Face The Future is curated by Jennie Lamensdorf and sponsored by the Time Equities, Inc. (TEI) Art-in-Buildings Program.
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Schedule
from July 30, 2012 to October 30, 2012