Hasta La Ideas

Luminous sculpture in David Batchelor’s color-centric Rio de Janiero show

Though not quite as spectacular of a juxtapoistion as Murakami’s current show at Versailles, London-based artist and writer David Batchelor’s current exhibition Chromophilia positions his colorful sculptures in the context of the historic Paco Imperial in Rio de Janeiro this month. Once the residence to Portuguese royalty, Paco Imperial now serves as a cultural center showcasing the art work of contemporary artists.

Chromophilia, which refers to the love of color, is a large-scale exhibit based on Batchelor’s 2006 book Chromophobia, a cultural anthology on the use of color over the past 150 years. The acclaimed art writer posits color as being a readymade art form that accessorizes, adorns and conceals objects.

Work from Cromophilia was previously showcased in prominent exhibits such as MoMA’s Color Chart: Reinventing Color in New York. The exhibit in Rio features bright, luminous colors displayed through ensembles of stacks, string cascades, empty containers and 99-cent store offerings.

Chromophilia is currently up at the Paco Imperial through 30 October 2010. Check out more information on the artist, including an extensive bio here.