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Volume 36, let's get into it!
Off the bat I wasn't sure even what this show was but Lisson Gallery has such great curation I knew it was going to be good.
I too only saw the above image and didn't quite grasp the work. If you could tell this is a mosaic of different stones then you are a genius. But rest assured once you step into the gallery's open floor plan, all is clear.
For Reyes' first solo exhibition with Lisson it really is a celebration of his large scale stone sculptures and an inauguration of the wall mounted mosaic works. Across the board each piece speaks the same visual language but each piece is unique whether with through the carving technique or choice of natural material.
By fusing together his Mexican roots and contemporary eye the work feels modernly prehistoric. While some pieces remain completely abstract others take inspiration from animals such as jaguars, coyotes, and monkeys. The coyote in particular is symbolic to Reyes' neighborhood Coyoacán in Mexico City where the name translates to "place of coyotes". And as he puts it, “Often described as a creature between a dog and a wolf, the coyote plays the role of a trickster spirit in pre-Columbian mythology. It also serves as a symbol of earthly wisdom because of its astute nature.”
Now as you know I don't read the press release before seeing the work but this earthly wisdom is exactly the vibe. Something about a stone really resonates with me in some other worldly way. To see such pristine carvings in both raw and polished finishings gives you that dichotomy of where had they been and where are they off to next. His mosaic works too play along that line of things organized neatly while using only materials still in their natural state. There is an attention to detail that feels both by accident and entirely planned. These two polarizing motifs of rough and ready meets factory perfect is the balance I love to sit in.
This outfit was truly the perfect thing to wear today. Both the Pembroke Top and the Panjin Short are cut in our cotton viscose shirting so it is such a set in such a not set way. The shirt is button front with a top silver stud and a stand collar and, pockets! And then if that wasn't enough the shorts also have pockets. With a few inches in the inseam they are short but not riding up short. Plus the elastic waistband lets you adjust exactly where you want them to sit on the hip. I wore the last few buttons open on the shirt just for some movement and to see a bit more of the shorts.
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