Indira Cesarine “LUMIÈRE” - Solo Exhibition and Genesis NFT Drop

In Collaboration with MakersPlace
Curated by MakersPlace Senior Director Jessica Marinaro

The Untitled Space

February 8-28th, 2024

Artist Reception & Talk

February 21, 2024 | 6-8pm

The Untitled Space

45 Lispenard Street, NYC 10013

RSVP [email protected]

In celebration of the continuation of the “LUMIÈRE" exhibition at The Untitled Space, artist Indira Cesarine and curator Jessica Marinaro will present a reception on February 21st, 2024 from 6pm-8pm including a tour of the exhibition and talk on “The Nude in Art and NFTs”.

MakersPlace is thrilled to announce Genesis NFT drop of renowned artist Indira Cesarine, titled "LUMIÈRE." This drop will unveil Cesarine's latest series of surreal photographic light paintings, along with the debut of her animated photographic NFTs, only available on the MakersPlace platform.

This drop showcases 20 digital artworks by Cesarine. In addition to the digital pieces, each artwork is accompanied by unlockable limited edition aluminum print.

"LUMIÈRE" encapsulates Cesarine’s contemporary female gaze on Surrealism, a theme the artist has been exploring through a variety of mediums over the past several decades. For her latest series of works, Cesarine juxtaposes the surreal techniques of light painting with graceful and empowering portraits of female dancers to evoke an ethereal universe of divine energy.  Through digital animation, Cesarine's light paintings come to life, harmonizing with her chiaroscuro portraits that accentuate the power of the human spirit through the movements of dance.

Cesarine’s nude silhouettes, body-painted with vines, leaves, and spirals, carry profound symbolism, which is also reflected in the light of her double exposures. Fantasy and illusion merge as the artist navigates the imagery of the subconscious mind, portraying the human form with emotive strength. In her photographic light paintings, Cesarine assumes a hidden yet crucial role in their composition, adding an intriguing layer to the visual narrative. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

“I have been exploring themes of Surrealism in my work since my first forays into photography. "LUMIÈRE" continues my exploration of the surreal technique of light painting, pioneered by Man Ray in 1937, for my portraits with contemporary dancers emphasizing the power of the human spirit. This method involves using light as a brush, painting ethereal strokes onto canvases of darkness, thus capturing a play of luminosity that transcends the boundaries of traditional imagery. In the realm of "LUMIÈRE," surreal light painting becomes a mesmerizing dance between the tangible and the transcendent. Through this technique, I seek to illuminate and reveal the hidden energies that bind us to the universe. 

The series, developed over the last two years, features five muses from the worlds of ballet, modern dance, fashion modeling, and contortionism. The nude silhouettes of each model become canvases adorned with vines, leaves, and spirals, with each stroke creating a visual embodiment of Mother Nature and symbolizing divine femininity, life, and growth. The spiral as a symbol of life and the eternal is depicted on their figures as well as in the light refracted into the camera lens, creating a spellbinding glow radiating around their silhouettes.

The symbolism of the spiral has been a recurring theme in my artwork including my photography, neon and steel sculptures, and filmmaking. The spiral is an ancient symbol of evolution and one of the oldest pagan symbols in existence. The spiral vortex, as found in the double helix structure of DNA molecules, is known as nature’s favored form for transmitting energy. It represents the cyclical nature of existence, life, growth, evolution, creativity, and change. With my light paintings, I embrace the symbol of the spiral to depict divine feminine energy, progression, concepts of infinity, the journey of life, and the path to higher consciousness. With its graceful curvature and hypnotic rhythm, it becomes a metaphor for the unknown forces that shape humanity, life, and existence – as well as the surreal nature of the unknown.  

The "LUMIÈRE" collection is a culmination of my exploration of the contemporary female gaze on Surrealism. "Lumière" is not just an exploration of visual aesthetics but an introspective journey into the symbolic significance of light. It delves into the implications of illumination as a metaphor for enlightenment, hope, and the constant pursuit of understanding. In "LUMIÈRE," I beckon you to immerse yourself in a world where light, movement, and symbolism converge, inviting you to perceive the profound mystery and beauty inherent in the dance of life.” - Indira Cesarine