When does something violent become subdued? Catharina van de Ven and Dotsan explored that question in a piece that’s so striking, it’s part of one of the art world’s highest-profile events: Art Miami. Golden Project turns a set of partial handguns into arrested sculptures. Printed in sandstone, each partial gun then becomes a silicon mold, a wax model, a ceramic mold, and finally, a bronze object, finished in highly polished gold. By the end, the firearms are both reduced and transformed. Catharina gave us her perspective on Golden Project came to be.
Tell us about the piece that’s being featured at Art Miami, Golden Project. What inspired it? What’s the message?
Golden Project is a series of nine iconic handguns; reclaimed, translated and sublimated into sculptures. Each in is bronze-casted and high polished. It’s all about power and strength.
How did you and Dotsan come to work together?
Dotsan and I have been working together since March 2010. I got to know him through the Shapeways forum. I was looking for someone who could make my 3D work compatible with 3D printers. That was not going to be as easy as it is now. Since then we have done several projects together. Dotsan works as my extended arm. We communicate via Skype/phone/WhatsApp, etc. Dotsan lives in Scotland. I really enjoy working with him.
Where can we see the work in Miami?
My work is represented by Galerie Priveekollektie. Golden Project is now, as we speak, on display at Art Miami . The oldest and largest art fair in Miami, it runs from December 5-10 as part of Miami Art Week. All my work can be seen at www.catharinavandeven.com.
Photo by Frans Lossie
This piece is not beautiful, awe inspiring, or even clever. Gold-plated-guns-as-art are trite, safe, and, at this late stage, a cynical, calculated move to appeal to no one but art dealers. If the artist truly has talent beyond the will to get this piece produced, forget this piece, burn your map, and make something new.