Liquid Portraits by Christto & Andrew opens at KAC today

By Umer Nangiana

They are “two minds” behind “one idea” and both of them are immensely talented, socially sensitive and profoundly observant artists. Imagine the veracity of the artworks coming out of such a process, which not only involves the creative genius of two minds but also a kind of self-criticism and argument on its final shape.

The subjects of their ideas are normal beings and objects portrayed and highlighted in an erratic arty style. The works are by the artistic duo of Christto Sanz and Andrew Weir, commonly known as Christto & Andrew.  

Katara Art Center (KAC) is presenting their second solo exhibition in Qatar called Liquid Portraits, curated by KAC’s talented Assistant Curator Misha Michael. It is her first solo curatorial exhibition. The exhibition will formally open with a reception today at KAC and will go on till November 23.

Consisting of photographs and sculptures, Liquid Portraits reflects upon the complexity of Qatar’s economic progress, historical interpretation of heritage, social identities and the concept of nationality in today’s global context.

One of the artworks featured in Liquid Portraits is Permanent Temporalities. It is a mixed media sculpture using mainly concrete in its construction. It offers its audience a dialogue with Qatar’s past, present and its aspired future. The photographs from the Liquid Portraits series form a constructed portrait mirroring various facets found both in Qatari and GCC cultures.

Christto and Andrew’s artistic practice evolves as a symbiotic process strengthened by a cross-pollination of their differing backgrounds, that is one being Puerto Rican and the other South African, however both are currently residing in Qatar.

“After viewing Christto & Andrew’s portfolio, I was immediately curious to know the influences behind their concepts and production methods. This included general pop culture references to more specific academic, philosophical or other similar sources,” Misha told Community.

The idea for Liquid Portraits exhibition has been under development since March this year and the two artists have been working on it with the curator since then.

“Visiting their studio, seeing them at work and numerous conversations about their thoughts about the art and culture in the region allowed me to gain a better understanding and appreciation for their practice. I wanted to consciously include both artists’ and my own (curator’s) opinions into the exhibition’s design and layout because the idea of dual or multiple perspectives is integral to the exhibition’s title and concept,” added Misha about process.  

“As the title suggests, the ‘portrait ‘ is not solid, fixed or absolute, but is rather liquid, malleable and in flux mimicking the constant changes we live through every day in the GCC,” she goes on to add.

She said she has always been interested in art and the concept of museums as repositories or curiosity cabinets from a young age. “I enjoy learning about the provenance of objects, and am a little bit of a researcher and collector at heart but mostly for everyday objects that offer more than just a monetary value. Recently, I’ve developed a stronger interest in cultural theory and writing,” she added.

Liquid Portraits is the second solo exhibition for the Doha-based duo curated by Misha Michael. Christto & Andrew debuted with the Katara Art Center in 2012 with Unparalleled Objectives.

Since then, the duo have continued to exhibit both locally in Qatar in group exhibitions at KAC, and internationally in the USA, Spain, Sri Lanka’s Biennale and Paris. Recently the duo were also selected as Foam Magazine’s 2014 Foam Talents and participated in the Unseen Photo Art Fair in Amsterdam.

Christto & Andrew are currently represented by East Wing Gallery in Dubai, UAE and Gallery Espai Tactel in Valencia, Spain.

Christto Sanz (born 1985) received a BA from the School of Fine Arts, Puerto Rico before completing his Master in Visual Communication & photography from Elisava, Spain.

Andrew Weir (born 1987) holds a BBA from Universtitat Ramon Llull, Spain and is currently completing an MA in Museum & Gallery Practice at University College London’s branch in Qatar.

Together they produce photography, mixed media objects and videos, exploring social identities, the media and reinterpretations of history, says their biography.