Maya Rochat
‘A River is a Rock’ is Lausanne-based Maya Rochat’s first solo exhibition in Basel and with the gallery, challenging the notion of traditional photography by playing with invented chemical processes, projections, layers of photography and paint. Printed and projected digital and analogue images were layered; melting into one another, encouraging the viewer to look multiple times and detect the hidden figures haunting the faded landscapes deep in the background of the abstract images.
In ‘A River Is A Rock’, Rochat expresses her frustrations with accepted boundaries in art, as she looks to transitional techniques and materials in her practice as a mode of breaking these down. Taking into account the architectural possibilities of VITRINE, she experiments with invading images, transparencies and light effects. Deployed in the space, the pictures have a shared vocabulary. The similar textures and colours bind different pieces and create a sense of unity. The translucent fabrics that hang from the ceiling, flow in fluid movements.
Silver, phosphorescent and fluorescent paint create physical raptures, echoing the surrounding light. In the same manner that the boarders of each image are blurred by a second layer of organic structure, which is added and arranged either digitally or manually, the vitrine and its surroundings are brought into one view.
The opening event features a live painting performance « Living in a painting » featuring sound artist Buvette. It is presented as part of the immersive installation, activating the works and engaging with the viewer. With various scales and rhythms, the projected live paintings (on overhead projectors) create a moving and contemplative collage. Generating a slow ongoing process of a mutating image and reflecting a world in a permanent flux.
The projected images and paintings engage not only with each other but with the unique space of the gallery, viewable 24/7 from the surrounding public square. Whilst enclosed behind glass, the work extends beyond its boundaries into the public space.
Curator: Alys Williams.
Maya Rochat (b. 1985, Morges, CH) is a visual artist based in Lausanne and working in the fields of photography, painting, video, performance and installation. Her work has been presented in institutions such as Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France; Kunsthaus Langenthal, Langenthal, CH; Centre Culturel Suisse (library), Paris, France; Quai N°1; La Filature, Mulhouse, France; [ 7] P FOTOFESTIVAL, London, UK; TATE Modern (Turbine hall), London, UK; FOTOMUSEUM Winterthur, Winterthur, CH; Centre de la Photographie Genève, Geneva, CH; Bâtiment pour l’Art Contemporain, Geneva, CH; Centre PasquArt, Biel, CH and Fotohof Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.Maya Rochat is a laureate of the Fondation Leenaards Grant and the Abraham Hermanjat Grant. She was invited for artist residencies at “Project Space” Centre d’art Contemporain Genève, Verzasca FOTO Festival and Air Berlin Alexanderplatz. Her published artist books include: “A ROCK IS A RIVER” by Self Publish, Be Happy, “Crystal Clear” by Editions Patrick Frey and “A Plastic Tool” by Meta/Books. She published “Vote for me” and “Ma tête à couper” with Hard-copy. Maya’s images are published by international art reviews and magazines such as Aperture, Photography & culture, YET, Le Phare, Foam, THE PHOTOBOOK REVIEW, British Journal of Photography, etc.Maya Rochat's work will be included in the exhibition ‘The Shape of Light: 100 Years of Photography and Abstract Art’ at Tate Modern, London, opening 30 April 2018.