Human:Nature
An exhibition an exhibition on view at Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters in collaboration with Soraya Cartategui Fine Art.
About the Exhibition
December 5, 2016 – January 20, 2017
In a society preoccupied with instant gratification, technology, and consumer culture, our generation rarely takes the time to reflect on the world around us. But within humanity there lies the simplest elements of nature: at our core we are purely animals trying to make sense of the world around us. This exhibition explores these concepts through the artfully manipulated photographs of Miguel Vallinas and the beautiful Cosmogonies of Isabelita Valdecasas. Whether by incorporating organic materials into the artwork itself, or by reimagining an isolated human existence, these two artists take on the concept of human nature itself and as two distinct ideas: humanity and nature.
About the Artists:
Isabelita Valdecasas
Born in Seville, Spain in 1975, Isabelita Valdecasas began her endeavors as an artist after a short lived career in the topographical pictures department at Christie’s Auction House in London and Madrid. Her artistic practice was first expressed in the form of murals, trompe-l’oeil, and wall decorations, of which many can be seen throughout Spain and Italy. It was not until 2010 that she fully embraced her exploration of abstract art, leading to the Cosmogonies that are on view. Valdecasas’ current work, which she creates in her studio in Toledo, is influenced by the origin of life and the beauty and mystery of creation. Incorporating organic materials such as seaweed, sand, tea leaves, and moss into her pigments, she uses only her bare hands to emphasize the intimacy of her creative process. Her artwork resembles cosmic phenomena, such as nebulas, aurora borealis, comets, and satellites, as well as coral reefs, marine ecosystems, and skies. An introspection and a deep analysis of our world, these Cosmogonies represent a movement back to basics, back to organic, and back to the real self.
Miguel Vallinas
Born in Medina del Campo, Spain in 1971, Miguel Vallinas is an advertising and industrial photographer. At present, he spends the majority of his time working on his personal artwork, which focuses on contemporary architecture, cityscapes, and portraits. His work allows the viewer to experience freedom and imagination through his surrealist studies of humanity. Currently on view are two of his most recent series, Second Skins and Roots. Both stem from a previous series, Skins, which reflects on identity, existence, and individual choice. While Second Skins examines the notion of human personalities as animal characteristics, Roots ventures to explore what we believe we are, what others think we are, what we really are, and what we would like to be.
Need a holiday gift? As with most of our temporary exhibitions, this artwork is all available for purchase.
To Visit: The Johnson & Johnson Galleries are located at 1 Johnson & Johnson Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 08933. The gallery is open to the public—Monday-Friday/9am-5pm—by appointment only. If you would like to schedule a visit, please contact us by e-mail.
We would like to thank talented Stacey Hecht, exhibition coordinator from the corporate art program of Johnson & Johnson for curating, organizing, and putting so much effort and time into this incredible exhibition.
Installation view of works by Miguel Vallinas
Installation view of works by Isabelita Valdecasas