2014 new work

expo traan
valerie traan 2014
valerie traan 2014
valerie traan 2014

In 2014, three years after Muller Van Severens debut, the long awaited second solo exhibition takes place at Valerie Traan Gallery in Antwerp. Although the exhibition title - New Work - is kept quite simple, the process of creating sure wasn’t. The exhibition shows objects with the same sober and transparent feel. Yet they are quite different from their first work. To be more precise, Muller Van Severen maintains the design language but alters the finishings. The racks and tables presented are still made of basic steel profiles, but the colors and textures are completely different. The matte polyethylene tabletops and shelves are exchanged for a steel surface lacquered with a thick layer of high gloss paint with a remarkably visible brush stroke in it.

The brush stroke gives the otherwise stark lacquer surface a human touch. It seems like an easy trick but that’s far from the truth. Basic one-component lacquer isn’t strong enough and takes about twelve hours to dry, causing a lot of dust particles to settle in. Double-component lacquer only takes about an hour to dry, is far stronger, but is applied by spraying, not brushing. Stirring the status quo was needed. Together with an expert Muller Van Severen comes up with a procedure. To contrast the glossy finishing of the lacquer, Muller Van Severen chooses rusty steel for the structures. The beautiful orange color of the rust is again the result of a process of experimenting. This time with different kinds of acids and salt. The addition of turnable shelves and low surfaces to the desks and tables offer an almost eccentric touch. The subdued colors of the lacquering and the timeless orange of the rust create a sense of peace. At the exhibition the stillness of the sculptural furniture is countered with neon lighting. The harsh neon lights, endlessly used for letter lighting, are shaped as party garlands. And so, New Work becomes a contemporary interpretation of old materials and techniques.

valerie traan 2014
valerie traan 2014
valerie traan 2014