Metaphor & mythology fused with industrial steel, photographs and sweat brought inspirations from Marcel Duchamp, Degas and Picasso together to form a one-of-a-kind artistic experience. Sculpture artist Richard Edelman in collaboration with photographer Ryan Hainey present their vision, “The Edelman Project: Overview of the Beginning.” The opening reception is Friday July 10th at 6 pm.
Richard Edelman began working in the steel industry as a teenager. In the 1970’s, he studied philosophy and engineering at MIT in Ma. where he founded an underground anti-war press and published poetry as a protégé of poet Denise Levertov. After returning to the industrial backbone of America, he started a steel trading business in Chicago, which influenced his migration from writing to working with found steel and sculpture. His work has shown in the Chicago area over the past two years.
Ryan Hainey, a recent graduate of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), started his career as a freelance photographer for local businesses and has recently exhibited his fine art work in galleries throughout the Midwest. His debut, “Disjointed Complex” portrayed photographs of abandoned industrial architecture and its correlation to the human condition. His recent projects include lending his eye as a photographer with the creative mind and hands of Edelman.
Edelman and Hainey have worked together to create a multi-dimensional experience where various levels of perspectives are discovered. Edelman creates the sculptural work based on his inspirations from Degas dancers and Greco-Roman mythology to biblical figures. Upon completion of the sculptures, Hainey transports the works into conceptualized environments that correlate with each series. This process becomes a multi-faceted reflection of inspiration from the past revived by the new.
