“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making or creating things,” says Mertz, who began training in the dance world as a toddler. “I was always painting and choreographing and making sculptures out of materials I found around the house,” says the artist. Today, the artist is well-versed in various media, working with light, sound, technology, photography, sculpture, works on paper, and beyond. In most cases, the media is project-based; within the piece, there is an exploration of different media “as a way of deconstructing/reconstructing the specific concept or project.” The work itself integrates spatial, visual, and movement structures through the incorporation of light, sound, technology, photography, and other forms. Drawing on formal training as a dancer and choreographer, Mertz’s installations, images and other site-specific works re-imagine architectural, environmental and other types of spaces. “My work is also informed by the process of seeing, and how audiences experience space. I am interested in the physical and psychological effects of spatial elements, as well as the interplay between digital and analog structures. I use light, technology, hijacked equipment, and other forms to amplify and reinforce the elements of a space and to expose the choreography inherent in a specific environment or structure.” Currently working out of her studio in Bushwick, the artist tends to do a lot of processing while walking around the city or in nature. Something about “moving through space” is not only a motif of her work, but a way in which the artist is able to crystallize specific ideas into form. Working so naturally at such a large scale always poses challenges, be they financial or otherwise. “I have a running list of super-large projects that I keep on the lookout for the right venue or space, so if anyone has a mountainside, a carrier ship or an entire city block that they want to turn into an art venue, please contact me!” says Mertz. As one who tends to be highly engaged by architectural spaces, Mertz professes to have “crushes” on a number of buildings including The Avon/Solow building. Currently, the artist has the solo exhibition Here, Data at SL Gallery, running through March 22nd. She also has an artist’s book and some smaller digital/sound series of works in process. Moving forward, she’s planning on sleeping (a lot) and spending much-needed time with friends and family to recoup after her solo exhibition. She might eventually form an art band/make an art rock album.
Follow the artist on Instagram @gabriellemertz
HERE, DATA at SL Gallery
Jan 30-March 22, 2019
http://gabriellemertz.com/index.php?/album/album-news-8/