Hinge Modern gallery, a full-service art advisory and collection management company located at 8545 Washington Blvd., made its public debut with a grand opening reception, June 8.
Hinge Modern’s inaugural exhibition – “Marks” – features a new body of work by painter Zhenya Gershman.
The culmination of a 12-year project between Gershman and her model, Mark Snyder, “Marks” is both a literal title referring to the complexity of a single being, as well as a metaphor for the artist’s unique mark-making process across time.
Following its opening night, which drew a crowd of approximately 300 people, “Marks” remains on exhibition through July 13 by appointment only with Hinge Modern’s director and curator, Caspar Martin.
“I chose Zhenya for my inaugural exhibition because of the boldness of her work,” said Martin. “I am grateful to the many people who came by Saturday night to celebrate our grand opening with us and see Zhenya’s spiritually stirring ‘Marks’.”
Hinge Modern showcases contemporary artists, both emerging and established, working in all mediums. Just like a hinge joins two objects, the Hinge Modern name reflects Martin’s vision to offer a space that connects an artist’s full creation to the audience that fills it.
“By providing a venue for presenting works as concepts in full, Hinge Modern allows artists to show us where they are now and where they are headed, enticing us to come along,” explained Martin. “I also believe there is no better way for people to discover and appreciate the work of an artist than as intended – whole.”
To this end, Hinge Modern is dedicated exclusively to solo exhibitions, joining an artist’s complete body of work, which tells a deeper story than select pieces, with the individuals who come inside to explore and experience it.
Hinge Modern currently has 10 consecutive exhibitions in its lineup, with shows planned through June 2014.
Gershman’s “Marks” is a living portrait changing over time. Centered around Snyder as a human specimen, the ability to look at each of the multiple sittings spanning more than a decade not only allows the viewer to be a part of the aging process of the body, but to experience a type of travel through time, space, and the many states and dimensions of the human soul.
For “Marks,” Martin has created a special installation that supports Gershman’s art by draping the gallery walls with translucent fabric and suspending the artworks.
Because Gershman added the element of wings to her most recent paintings of Snyder, resulting in a true metamorphosis of his anatomy, Martin’s objective is to amplify their sensation of levitation.
“I chose to add wings, as they conjure up an array of associations, from angels to demons, from Greek mythological creatures to birds, from levitation to gravity, from rising to falling, and from sacred to profane.
“It is precisely this simultaneity of contradictions and plurality of meaning that makes them appealing,” said the artist.
“Drawing parallels with the feathered kingdom also provides rumination on the immense human potential and limitations.”
Also an art adviser and curator for private and corporate collections, as well as cultural organizations, Martin also offers through Hinge Modern full art advisory and art collection management services, with a special focus on guiding new collectors through the sometimes seemingly opaque world of art collection.
Hinge Modern works with both new and experienced collectors, and offers assistance in every area of art collection.
“We will gladly work with other galleries, art fairs and private collectors,” said Martin. “I’d like to stress that our ‘doors’ are always open and we’ll gladly meet with everyone who contacts us via phone or email.”