Project Room | Marie Herwald Hermann: Lines and Parallels

Marie Herwald Hermann’s Lines and Parallels is the artist’s second project with Rebecca Camacho Presents. Continuing her investigation of relatable, domestic forms, Hermann’s thrown and hand-built vessels are assembled into abstract sculptural still lifes, frequently displayed on colorful ceramic shelves. The purposeful structures of Hermann’s assemblages are reminiscent of language with subtle forms that compose encoded phrases. 

In this new suite of works, Hermann considers the presence of parallel universes and temporality within society and in ourselves. The exhibition centers these dualities through pairs. Four works comprised of vessels on shelves are shown in twos. Functioning as an echo or shadow of itself, the elements of one set and shelf are all white while its complement shares the same elements in color but are reordered to alter the balance and meaning. Three larger works placed on the floor act as a center line within the space. Two vessels are glazed on their exteriors, but not their interiors to create a varying experience of the same material and extend Hermann’s investigation of parallels. A ‘mirror’ completes the installation. Slightly iridescent pink resin is encased in a hand-carved Mahogany frame; the mirror does not offer an accurate reflection of the viewer, rather a hint. Further skewing perspective and the idea of parallels, the walls in the project room are painted in monochromatic vertical white stripes, alternating between high gloss and matte. The shift is barely perceptible, yet unmistakably present.