box constructions
And the day came
when the risk
to remain tight
in a bud
was more painful
than the risk
it took
to blossom.
—Anaïs Nin
In conjunction with the reading of excerpts from Arthur Bruso’s recently published memoir, So Far Away No One Will Notice, this exhibition presents six of Bruso’s box constructions. While the memoir delves into Bruso’s personal journey, his box constructions represent his continual analysis and exploration of not only his own life but also the world and cosmos that surround us.
Arthur Bruso’s art practice spans photography, drawing, collage, and box constructions. Across his diverse body of work, there is a lively and vigorous sense of curiosity. His art grapples with existential questions, our place in the cosmos, and the search for meaning through both science and mysticism. Personal histories and their reconsideration and retelling play a significant role, forming a continuum that connects the past, present, and future.
Each box construction in this collection is a small universe of its own. The materials employed are humble and often overlooked: pocket combs, toy fragments, broken pieces of costume jewelry, and other discarded bits and pieces. Through Bruso’s process, these simple objects are transformed into miniature dioramas that evoke the spirit of Joseph Cornell yet eschew the sentimentality to which Cornell devotees often succumb.
Bruso’s constructions are not just visually engaging; they are intellectually stimulating. Titles such as “Deep Space,” “Universe,” and “Anatomy” hint at the scientific themes that permeate his work. While others, like “Albert and Giorgio Cross the Piazza” winkingly mind us of the art historical references at play. The boxes pursue an articulation of what resides between the seen and the unseen, the tangible and the theoretical.
The whimsical nature of Bruso’s boxes is balanced by their thoughtful composition and inquiry. Each object within the box is carefully selected and placed, creating a harmonious whole. The constructions are intimate and treat the humble source materials with reverence, shuttling the viewer between the modest and the sublime.
The dream-like narratives they weave are both delightful and profound. Through these boxes, Bruso creates a collage of exploration and transformation, a testament to the enduring power of introspection and reinvention.
Raymond E. Mingst © 2024 Curious Matter
Used with permission.
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