Art works second only to nature in ArtCenter/South Florida exhibition

BY LISA PALLEY

The natural world has long been a source of inspiration and wonder to artists everywhere. Nature presents an infinite palette of colors, textures, shapes and lines that find themselves, in one form or another, in every work of art.

"Second Nature," the current exhibition at the ArtCenter/South Florida through Feb. 20, features the response that two ArtCenter artists, Jens Diercks and Robert Flynn, and two guest artists, Jorge Aguereverre and Wilhelm Moser, have to the natural world -- and the varied ways they present those responses in their art.

Diercks, a Multi-media sculptor, is best known for his deconstructed constructions. He compresses three-dimensional objects into relief forms, often fooling the eye by utilizing the Renaissance technique of linear perspective.

A native of Germany, Diercks uses his works -- which are often comprised of recycled materials -- to comment about natural resources and the way humans use them. A combination of wood stumps and roofing copper in Clearcut creates a faux forest with a bridge-like walkway receding into the wall.
Similarly, Log is made from real wood logs and roofing copper complete with faux finishes on the face of the log to enhance reality. An axe plunged into the bark surface interrupts the viewer's perception, calling into check what is real and what is false.

In his series "Vanishing Point," Flynn also is fascinated by human interaction with the natural world. His works, like Diercks, feature a vanishing point, only Flynn's are painted, creating 'perfect places' interrupted by incongruent objects. Flynn's small, delicately painted flora and fauna appear to be from horticultural dictionaries, which sharply contrasts with hidden elements, such as figures mowing lawns or conducting other domestic chores.

Painter/photographer Wilhelm Moser passionately investigates the relationship of the natural world with man-made monuments. His works explore his belief that the moment of creation also is the moment of disintegration.

In the past, his works have featured the destruction of German architecture, the desecration of the island Monserrat by a volcano and nature's erosion of the Egyptian pyramids. In this exhibition, Moser captures the mystical nature of Easter Island, where hundreds of sculptures of unknown origin emerged from the earth. His photographs are romantic, sensitive and haunting, reflecting the island's eerie history.

Metal artist Jorge Aguereverre's works reflect his regard for maps and charts, the orbs of the earth and heavens, and the quality and richness of metals. His pieces in this exhibition are comprised of cold, institutional glass globes in which he placed maps, transforming them into objects of wonder. He then wrapped several of the globes in richly ornate metal designs and perched them precariously on sensual stands emerging from metal wrapping.

The exhibition is free to the public and open Wednesday through Sunday, 1-11 p.m., through Feb. 20; closed Monday and Tuesday.

For more information on "Second Nature," call ArtCenter/South Florida at 305-674-8278. ArtCenter/South Florida is located at 800 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.