During
Miami Art Week , which took place in the second half of 2016, there was an exhibition that left the public curious and unbalanced at the same time. The Italian artist Gehard Demetz could be considered the Geppetto of today, however, instead of wooden dolls with noses that grow, the sculptor decided to bring realistic and slightly scary children.
The
Invocation exhibit, held at the Jack Shainman Gallery, featured children carved from wood, each carrying
a special object that was very different from the conventional ones, such as a pacifier or a teddy bear. They held items associated with adulthood: belts, visors, guns, smeared makeup and more. These objects appear to be made of another material, but they are actually wood and are just painted.
Another intriguing detail is the expression on the children's faces, which appear to be
irritated, aggressive or unfriendly. The artist's aim is to explore the transition from childhood to adulthood, and, by being on pedestals, the children confront the audience as equals.
