Cut, fold, fit

The show Corte, dobra, encaixe [Cut, Fold, Fit] emphasizes the confluence between the works by Amilcar de Castro (1920, Paraisópolis – 2002, Belo Horizonte, Brazil), famous for his corten steel sculptures, and Kimi Nii (1947, Hiroshima, Japan), who works in ceramics. Curated by Antonio Gonçalves Filho, the show takes place at the Millan gallery at 1,430 Rua Fradique Coutinho, in Pinheiros, São Paulo.

The curator points out the structural intent shared by Amilcar de Castro and Kimi Nii —the cuts in the pieces reveal a striking intention, revealing new three-dimensional shapes in the empty spaces, which alter as the viewer moves around the pieces.

Moreover, they both establish relationships with light in their works. While Amilcar uses slits and incisions in the iron to allow light to flow through, Kimi encloses her ceramic sculptures, using light to highlight geometric shapes through inserts. Although apparently different, both share the concept of creating artworks that are portals to light, interacting with space, and suggesting new arrangements.

Among the works on view, Kimi is showing sculptures that reach up to 77 cm in height in a single piece, thus displaying her mastery. She employs a technique where the clay is fired at up to 1300 °C, which produces an effect similar to the oxidation of iron on the glaze that coats the pieces.

Whereas some works by the Japanese artist are relatively large given their material, Amilcar's selection includes some small works that are no more than 15 cm high. Nevertheless, there are also examples of the Minas Gerais artist's dense sculptures, some of which are made of steel sheets thicker than ten centimeters and weighing as much as 640 kilos.

In addition to the works arranged on the floor, the pieces are also shown on a long platform, nearly 11 meters long, which runs the length of the gallery space; on it, Kimi's and Amilcar's works sit side by side, allowing the audience to recognize the connections and dialogues between the works.