In their form, they resemble human anatomy, but their design mocks the familiar. The deliberate omission of eyes, which serve as windows to the soul and instruments of interaction, is our way of symbolizing society’s blindness to deeper truths. Our Cruxials gaze out from deep caves like hermaphroditic creatures from an intermediate world into the light of day, symbols of the constant balance between the sublime and the abyss.
The figures in our works are tragic protagonists, caught in a play of melancholy, satire, and sharp sarcasm. Their environment is interwoven with symbols of the modern world: the flood of social media like Facebook and Instagram, the false promise of fame and glory, which at the same time becomes the place of virtual crucifixion. The variety of crucified characters we create for special exhibitions and locations represents the different facets of society, from icons and heroes to the misunderstood and outcasts.
Our Cruxials are not just artfully crafted bizarre crosses cast from biological resin, but depictions of contemporary history and our personal environment. We immortalize figures from history, people who have influenced us, and those who provoke and challenge us. Our works include self-portraits, tributes to artist friends, as well as depictions of hate figures and despots who have become symbols of our collective fears and worries.
Particularly close to our hearts are the people of Carrara, the everyday heroes and eccentrics who shape the landscape of our city, from the director of the Academy of Fine Arts to the crazy bartender in the old town. They are an integral part of our art, as are the picturesque characters who populate the alleys of the city.
Our works are not meant to be blasphemous or judgmental, even if the first impression might suggest otherwise. However, the true core of our message is different: Every person carries their own burden, their personal “➕️” with them throughout life. For us, the depiction of the cross is a powerful symbol of the evils that plague society and at the same time a means to precisely point out the problems that afflict us. It offers the viewer the opportunity to reflect and find themselves in the art.
Today, our society is more influenced than ever by social media and the quickness to judge. A single misstep, an unconsidered statement and one is “crucified” in the eyes of the masses. This aspect is illustrated by our Cruxials: How easy it is to make someone a scapegoat, to condemn them while the clamoring crowd shouts, “Crucify him!” We denounce this dynamic by showing that the personal and collective burden already exists, everyone carries their own customized crucifixion with them.
Our works are currently exhibited in the gallery-workshop of the F.A.C., a place that breathes the historical charm of Carrara and is only a few steps from the cathedral. This setting enhances the impact of our art and creates a space where history, destiny, and the reflection of modern humanity merge.
Carrara 2016
