Herbert Mehler: Curved

Panoramic view of “Curved: Herbert Mehler Sculptures” at The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach. All images are courtesy of Galerie Lausberg. Toronto - Dusseldorf - Miami.

Kavex Series on Display at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach

By Veron Ennis

Masting the grounds of the Morris and Rose Kraft Sculpture Gardens, the unswayable steel sculptures of artist Herbert Mehler challenge the relationship between the visual and physical realities of form. The Armory Art Center as well as Galerie Lausberg of Toronto, Dusseldorf and Miami, have partnered to present “CURVED,” an exhibition of Mehler’s large-scale steel sculptures from his series, Kavex.

When introduced to Mehler’s Kavex series, the mathematical language of nature is immediately detected. “Kavex,” the combination of the German words for “concave” and “convex,” defines the organic treatment of the stereometric folds, repeated around a central axis, to create each piece. The fanning of the steel, coupled with the curvature of the overall form, creates a biomorphic illusion, as if the piece itself could breathe. However, that flexibility is truly an illusion, as the sculptures are made from quite inflexible, heavy Corten steel.

Herbert Mehler, WV 765, 2010, Corten steel, 32.67” x 59” x 32.67.”

The combination of architectural structure and organic form creates a contemporary dialogue within the piece itself, as well as with its surrounding environment. In this case, on the grounds of the Armory, each piece, singular and distinct, speaks to the linear rhythm of the adjacent palm trees. The rusted tones of the patinated steel are pronounced against the lush green backdrop of the landscaping, and as the sun advances throughout the day, the shadows cast by each fold in the steel rotate around the form, suggesting a slow and steady spinning motion. The Kavex series is shown not only in natural environments, but also in dialogue with urban architecture, exhibiting this year in two cities in Germany, Erfurt and Lahr.

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Utilizing a stereometric approach reminiscent of the work of Naum Gabo in the early 20th century, Mehler’s technical precision and mathematical application is masterful. “Russian Constructivism shows me a spiritual order, the pursuit of a general structure and the autonomy of form,” Mehler says. “From this starting point, I create forms that lie somewhere between abstraction and figuration.” He is influenced by the drawings of Ernst Haeckel and his “Art Forms in Nature” of the 19th century, as well as by the photographs of Karl Blossfeldt of the early 20th century.

Simultaneously, Mehler is creating another series, titled APSIDA, which further explores organic forms, “increas(ing) the difference between it and its surrounding architecture,” says Mehler. Also, three gold-gilded sculptures were released recently. Mehler explains that each of the three forms was carefully selected to depict a ceremonial or festive situation or occasion, like a wedding or religious holiday.

Referencing the numerous structures found in microorganisms and macro-organisms, the carefully calculated and skillfully constructed sculptures portray the complexities and delicacies of nature through the firm hand of man. Mehler’s steel sculptures are sophisticated, succeeding in communicating complicated and grand equations with singular forms.

“Curved: Herbert Mehler Sculptures“ is on view thru April 6, 2012 at The Armory Art Center. 1700 Parker Avenue. West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401. Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 am - 4 pm / Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm. Phone: 561 832 1776.

For more information about Herbert Mehler‘s sculptures contact Galerie Lausberg. Phone: + 1 416 516 4440 / www.galerie-lausberg.com / Toronto@galerie-lausberg.com

Veron Ennis is an artist and art critic based in Sanibel, FL. She is also the director of UNIT A Contemporary Art Space in downtown Fort Myers.