Duskmann

An insight on the true heart of the project.

In the company of the Duskmann Group, we delve into the movement’s philosophy and the artistic background which led to the creation of the installation “Prelude”.

 

How did the Duskmann Group come about and what philosophy drives it?

Duskmann isn’t an individual project but rather a collective undertaking guided by a stylistic identity. It is a group of people brought together by the desire to create a new kind of style where art and design are united in a potent, revelatory way. It is a multisectoral movement, animated by a passion for the arts and handicrafts, and it intends to carry out projects transversely across a range of fields including photography, music and design. “Prelude”, the group’s debut installation, fully realises the philosophy and aspirations which guide us.

 
How did you come to create “Prelude” and what prompted you to make natural stone the focal point of an exhibition?

“Prelude” was born out of a desire to reveal the beauty, the charm, the vigour and power of nature. It sprang from our travels, from a passion for photography and the idea of using the lens to reveal the soul of incredible architectures. While we were photographing the stones used in the construction of various buildings, in particular churches distinguished by their compelling stylistic impact, we were seized by the idea of narrating the dynamic force of this extraordinary material.
Our idea was to allow these stones – already works of art in themselves – to become paintings.

And when we noticed how the grain of the stones created abstract shapes and symbols, we began to investigate the figurative art within the natural world which appears, at first glance, wholly abstract. It was this process of experimentation we discovered the red jasper gem, which later became an integral part of our work. The jasper is a “piece” of great charm, characterised as it is by a palpable energy. Since the dawn of time, many cultures have considered this heart-shaped gem of unexpected dimensions to be in possession of powerful energies. The jasper seemed to be the natural complement to our existing exhibit. Set at the centre of the works, the heart/sculpture took on a key role. It triggered an explosion, a fragmentation across the wall, a Big Bang which generated its own elements. As though the pieces on display were given life by the jasper itself. And symbolically speaking, it is also a metaphor for the explosion into life of our group.

“Prelude”: exhibit or installation?

It would probably be an understatement to speak of an exhibit. This is not simply photography, and above all, it is not static. To create the the pieces, we conducted an extensive study. Each of the cases holding the photos contains a composition of glass which creates different designs depending upon the order in which the works are hung. The whole is designed geometrically in such a way as to create an endless composition which is open to interpretation. Upon the basis of how they are hung (they have a double hook) or paired, the works create new geometries, and the installation is therefore alive and evolving. As an example, at the exhibition in Antolini we will be showing an entirely new version to that shown in Rome. Finally, in order that the works can be fully appreciated from all perspectives, we have taken special care with the rear of each, where we have set a piece of real red jasper. Those who choose one of our pieces will therefore not receive simply a fragment of the installation, but a portion of the heart itself.

Duskmann

Words and images courtesy of Duskmann / www.duskmann.com

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