Wounds of Time
August 4 – September 22, 2018 Mayeur Projects 200-202 Plaza Park, Las Vegas, New Mexico
THE EXHIBITION:
Evan Anderman’s aerial photographs of the American Southwest are provocative. At first glance they appear to be beautiful images of landscapes, shot from above, composed of intriguing, even whimsical, lines, shapes and colors. Yet his images of industrial scale farms, feedlots, fracking sites, wildfire burn areas, military maneuver zones and minuteman missile launch sites invite introspection about the impact—and long-term consequences—of human activity upon the landscape.
Most think of the Southwestern US landscape as wide-open and untouched, yet Anderman’s photographs reveal that this is a grave misconception. Nearly every square foot of land as far as the eye can see has been indelibly marked by human engineering projects, vehicles and industrial practices. Future archeologists won’t need to dig far to find the artifacts of 20th and 21st Century human presence, even in the most remote corners of the American Southwest—the evidence is obvious, everywhere and overwhelming. It is thought today that pristine landscapes—untouched by humans—no longer exist. Anywhere.
While Anderman’s work has a strong aesthetic sensibility and documentary character, conceptually it sits solidly in the social / environmental realm, invoking questions regarding not only the activity of humans on the planet, but our long-term role.
— Roy Montibon, Curator
THE GALLERY:
Founded by French collector and entrepreneur Christian Mayeur, Mayeur Projects is a contemporary art gallery and creative company, supporting emerging as well as established artists. Privileging art that is above all an experience, our aim is to create a context of encounters between artist and viewer, the real and the imaginary, the global and the local, the map and the territory (we are fans of land arts), the social and the environmental, the concerns of tomorrow and the concerns of today.
The Mayeur Projects building at 200-202 Plaza Park is one of the more than 900 historic buildings in Las Vegas, and has a particularly rich history. Built in 1883, this building has lived many lives: as the original home of the E. Romero family, one of Las Vegas’s first; the place where New Mexico’s statehood was announced; and a jail for Billy the Kid. We are truly honored to have restored and renovated this incredible building. The renovation was recognized in 2016 by Las Vegas Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation.
While remaining engaged with the global art scene, Mayeur Projects is dedicated to its connection with the community of Las Vegas, New Mexico. We are proud to be part of the revival of this historic city, rich with resources and potential, and look to foster an atmosphere of conviviality and connection with our artists, collectors and art lovers, but also with innovative businesses, research centers and companies of New Mexico, because we are convinced that Art is the Future of Innovation.
For more information on Mayeur Projects contact Julie Tumblety at:
505-930-6478
Image credits: EVAN ANDERMAN