Discover the magnetic allure of Croatian artist Alex Knapic and his innovative 3D art, now on show for the first time in Monaco, featuring a dynamic blend of emotions and geometry in metal and mosaics.
From 17th July to 1st August 2024, art enthusiasts can view Alex Knapic’s latest works at Espace 22, located at 24 boulevard d’Italie. The exhibition showcases the Croatian artist’s evolution from his early work in mosaics to his current experimental art installations in metal and wood. Overall, 14 sculptures and 10 paintings are exhibited during this exhibition.
Born in 1970 in Pula, Croatia, and currently based in Poreč, Knapic has significantly contributed to the art and design worlds. His expertise spans interior, exterior, and landscape design, utilising advanced 3D technologies to bring his visions to life.
As a member of the Associazione Internazionale Mosaicisti Contemporanei (AIMC) based in Ravenna, Knapic’s work in mosaics has been a foundational element of his artistic journey. “Our emotions and memories can be compared to a mosaic,” says the artist.
Knapic’s recent accolades include winning the prestigious St. Mauro award in 2021 and being honoured at Art Expo Ljubljana in 2023, where he stood out among 25 artists at the Bro Estate in Slovenia.
Knapic’s work is characterised by its abstract interpretation of the world, driven by translating emotions into visual forms, with 3D infographic elements creating light and shadows. “This gives the works more dynamics, more expression, and ultimately, more power, which is what I aim to create: power works that speak loudly,” Knapic told Monaco Life.
Looking at Knapic’s works, a whole geometric world is being unveiled. “I have always been fascinated with geometry, especially since I have been doing 3D infographics for the past 33 years, which I am obsessed with,” shared Knapic.
Mosaic musicality
The ongoing Magnetic exhibition features some of his most notable works. Knapic’s favourite piece, Infinity II, is described as a development of the sculptural form of Infinity I, and it took him eight months to complete. This piece invites viewers to explore its intricate textures and colours. It is a harmonious blend of glass, marble, enamel, and aluminium, creating a visual symphony that Knapic calls mosaic musicality.
“The Infinity series is all about expansion, which can go on forever,” Knapic told Monaco Life. Each Infinity series, of which there are three, tells a story and builds onto each other, creating a perfect sequence.
A piece that stood out for me is Infinity Expiration Date, which explores themes of order and chaos through a profound arrangement of materials and shapes. The artwork presents a symbolic construction divided into two parts: an upper section representing chaos and a lower section symbolising cosmos, connected by a red thread that challenges viewers to question the boundaries between these states. “This piece essentially shows our expiration date, hence the red line going through it,” revealed Knapic.
Meanwhile, Knapic’s sculptures all take a cube form since cubes are symmetrically perfect, as Knapic explains. Part of the exhibition is a unique sculpture called Cube Zero, the first sculpture that Knapic made, all pure bronze weighing 20 kilos.
“This was very difficult to make because it’s challenging to create a mood, a feeling, through this kind of complex design made from such a heavy material,” reveals Knapic.
Visitors will notice that the cube’s structure becomes increasingly complex with each of Knapic’s sculptures. “I like to challenge myself and move forward with my creations, each becoming more difficult,” says Knapic.
When asked what his favourite material to work with is, Knapic says, “… metal isn’t just a material I work with; it’s a part of me, and I am a part of it.” Knapic uses bronze mainly because, as he says, “Bronze lives forever and gets only better with time.”
A magnetic attraction
Knapic has previously exhibited in New York, London, Florence, and Ravenna and is now in Monaco for the first time.
“I chose the title Magnetic for this particular exhibition because I wanted to establish a correlation between the people of Monaco and my works, creating an emotional magnetic attraction between the two,” explains the artist.
Magnetic runs daily from 10am to 9pm, and Knapic himself is present throughout so visitors can gain personal insights.
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