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Alejandro Dron

Sculptor Artist

Alejandro Dron begins his artistic education at the early age of 10 with the sculptor Oscar Zarate in La Plata, Argentina. He continues with drawing and painting classes Enrique Sobisch and studied architecture for a year at the University of La Plata. His interests in European, Asian and Pre-Columbian art made him travel through Europe, Israel, Peru and Mexico. Ending his 1920s era, his studies of Kabbalah/Jewish mysticism connected him with Madi, an art movement that proposed pure invention. From 1995/96 he studied his theory in depth and worked closely with its founder, the artist Gyula Kosice. During those years Dron also had contacts with Yaacov Agam and his works. In 1996 Dron arrived in New York to study a Master in Fine Arts MFA / Computer Art at the School of Visual Arts, thanks to a Visual Arts Scholarship from the Fulbright Commission of Argentina’s National Endowment for the Arts.

Alejandro Dron went on to teach at SVA and the ITP Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU Tisch. Since then he has taught both nationally and internationally. He was included in the 1997 Madi Retrospective at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, and in 2003, Dron was nominated for the Rokefeller Grant in New Media. He was named the best sculptor of the year in Hudson Valley for the record of time. His work was published in art magazines and in several newspapers including the New York Times. Along with sculpture, Dron published two cartoon books with Zohar, his family muse.

Now, Dron is developing “eDron Studios,” a new platform for bringing together traditional sculpture with drone technology.

Artist Statement

PUT YOUR BODY, YOUR TIME

Because that’s how I live art, as a vital force that commits itself to everything. A personal fire that gives meaning to the Hebrew concept of reality. I am referring to the temporal flow that melts the frozen, static images. Fixed images that have nothing to do with the only god, ineffable, total, infinite, fluid, liminal of my roots.

For me the substantial passes ‘diagonally’, as the mesuzah is located at the threshold of the door, dodging the obstacle, contemporizing orthogonal extremes and thus creating a synthesis that ‘passes through’, that flows.

One could also say that my folding and flying sculptures resemble Hebrew letters, words, a syntax, a semiotic but they are not disciplined there in the head, but they are total because they delimit their background whites and make them one with their blacks. A ‘continum’ of real letter/background of infinite possibilities.

My works try the multifaceted, the multidirectional, the multidimensional. They are eccentric. They don’t have unique positions. They are created for me to open like a book. If not for me they are not valid, they are not funny. I want them total and infinite. Totals, absolutes and that understand all their transformations. Changes that aim to show the invisible unity. No two participants can see or configure the same thing at the same time. Nor to compose them totally in a determined instant. My time ‘in stages’ unfolds the invisible. The ‘azamra’ mitzvah that commands me to ‘be happy all the time’ assists me in creating these folds, and in reading them with my body as well.

I am a continuation of the work of the artists Agam and Kosice. It was Agam who consciously decided to give an expressive form to the concept of Hebrew reality. Kosice for his articulable work Royi, his vital waters controlled by genuine joy and his messianic hydro-spatial cities.

In the last century we saw how the academy was surpassed by the avant-garde. As its lifeless elitist refinement was supplanted by a raw rejuvenating force that did us so well. Then the ‘dada’ that was born as an authentic rebellion against reason became a banal trade. And on the other hand the political-ideological art of the left.

I understand that art has its origin in religion. And that is where its truly political character resides, because it is moved by an active force, which is messianic ‘vision’. To work today for this active force – against the meaningless that it wants to prevent – demands sophisticated engineering. It’s about ‘going back to the source’ against the tide of colossal redundancy. We are in a struggle for spiritual survival.

Perhaps it has always been so for every true artist. How do I try it on my part? How do I listen in the midst of this deafening noise? Listening to my friends on the road who got to know something about that origin and point out to me what’s left there, up ahead!

Selected Individual Shows

  • 2014 Mana Contemporary / Open Studio. Jersey City, US.
  • 2002 Recoleta Cultural Center. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1999 Argentine Consulate of New York, US.
  • 1997 Fundacion Provincial de Cultura. Sala Rivadavia. Cadiz, Spain.
  • 1995 Recoleta Cultural Center. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Selected Group Shows

  • 2008 Continous Current. School of Visual Arts New York. US.
  • 2008 ‘Current 2008’. Garrison Art Center. NY US.
  • 2008 Linchestein Art Center. Pittsfield MAS. Celebrating Jewish Culture.
  • 2008 ‘Blanco’. Centro Cultural Borges. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2007 Kingston Sculpture Biennal, Kingston NY, US.
  • 2007 ‘Chi’. Ann Street Gallery. Newburgh New York, US.
  • 2007 ‘In the Mix’, Ann Street Gallery. Newburgh New York, US.
  • 2007 ‘Madi.’ Fundacion Klemm. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2006 II Newburgh Sculpture Project, NY, US.
  • 2006 Madi retrospective. Klemm Foundation. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2005 ‘This is not an archive’ Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College.
  • 2005 Jewish Museum. ‘The old testament’ Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2005 Beacon-Newburgh Bridge. BAU Gallery, Beacon, NY. US.
  • 2004 Sculptures in the Garden. Larreta Sculpture Museum. Argentina.
  • 2004 I Newburgh Sculpture Project. Newburgh, NY. US.
  • 2003 Premio Aerolineas Argentinas. National Museum of Fine Arts. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2002 World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition.
  • 2001 Homenage to R. Aizenberg. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2000 Salon Nacional, Buenos Aires Argentina.
  • 1999 7 th New York Digital Salon. New York, US / Madrid, Spain.
  • 1998 Visual Gallery. Soho, New York. US.
  • 1997 Arte Madi. Museum of Contemporary Art Reina Sofia. Spain.
  • 1996 Jerusalem Award. ICA at CC Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1995 Digital Art. Planetario de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Artists: Kosice, Dron, Gyori, Mayoraz.
  • 1995 Gunther Award CAYC. C.C. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1995 Braque Award. Fundación Banco Patricios. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1995 Banco Mayorista del Plata – MNBA. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1994 XIII Internacional Simposium of the Critic. Instalations from the 80’s and 90’s. C. C. Recoleta-CAYC-AICA. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1994 CAYC-KLEMM Award. C.C. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1992 From Constructivism to Sensitive Geometry. Harrods en el Arte. Curator: Jorge Glusberg. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1992 The Young Generation: Aro, Dron, Corujeira, Kacero,.
  • 1992 Lecuona, Siquier y Lozano. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1991 ‘The Discrimination’ Award. Harrods en el Arte.
  • 1991 Hebraica-CAYC Award. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1991 Manuel Belgrano Award. C.C. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1991 Jerusalem ICAI Award, Painting. C.C. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1990 XI Critics Simposium. Art in the Street. Internatinal.
  • 1990 Asociation of Art Critics. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1990 ‘Dron-Pezzani-Toso’. Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes. La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1989 Fundacion Plural. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1989 Manuel Belgrano Award. C.C. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1989 Jerusalem ICAI Award-Escultura. C. C. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1987 Young values from Latinoamerica. MOCHA, Contemporary Hispanic Art Museum. New York, US.
  • 1988 IV Trienal Painting Award. Province Museum of Fine Arts.
  • 1988 La Plata, Argentina. Third Award. Province Museum of Fine Arts La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1985 Manuel Belgrano Award. C.C. Recoleta. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1985 Award for Young Artists. Province Museum of Fine Arts. La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1984 Trienal Painting Award. Province Museum of Fine Arts. La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1983 First Province Award for Young Artists. Painting.
  • 1983 Museo Prov. of Fine Arts. La Plata, Argentina.

Talks, lectures, panels

  • 2000 ITP Interactive Telecommunications Program, Tisch School of the Arts New York University. Moderator: Irma Arastizabal.
  • 1999 School of Visual Arts New York.

Grants / Becas

  • 2002 Rockefeller Grant Nomination.
  • 1996 Jerusalem Award. 3rd Award Sculpture. ICAI.
  • 1995 Fulbright Grantee Visual Arts Comission – National Fund for the Arts Argentina. 1998 MFA Computer Art, SVA. NY. US.
  • 1991 Studio Plant Award. Blades Award – CAYC. Harrods en el Arte. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1988 Painting Award – Mención. Third Award for Young Artists.
  • 1988 Province Museum of Fine Arts. La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1987 Painting Award – Mención. Hebraica Award for Young Artists. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1987 Foreign Student Scholarship. Art Students Leaugue of NY. US.
  • 1982 Drawing – Mention. XXV Hebraica. Award for Young Artists. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Teaching (more)

2003 – 1998

  • ITP / Interactive Telecommunications Program. Tisch School of the Arts. New York University, US.
  • School of Visual Arts New York, US.
  • Parsons School of Design / New School. New York, US.

Education

  • 2001 Alice Aycock’s assistant. 3D modeler. New York, US.
  • 1999 Eyebeam Digital Museum / Practical Training. New York, US.
  • 1998 MFA School of Visual Arts. Computer Art. New York, US.
  • 1995-96 Studies with Gyula Kosice. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1978 Architecture. 1995-96 UNLP. La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1976-77-81 Studies with Enrique Sobisch. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1973-75 Sculpture with Oscar Zarate. La Plata, Argentina.

Selected catalogs – Individual shows

  • 2002 TET. Raul Santana. Centro Cultural Recoleta. Argentina.
  • 1999 ‘Dron, Kinetic Interactive Sculptures’.
  • 1999 ‘Visual Ideas’, James Seawright, Text.
  • 1999 Argentine Consulate New York, US.
  • 1999 Victoria Noortoon, Press Release.
  • 1997 ‘Excentric Geometries’, Monroe Denton. Text, Cadiz, Spain.
  • 1995 ‘Alejandro Dron, un artista del Siglo XXI, Gyula Kosice, Text. CC Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1991 Jaime Barylko, Text. Ana Van Raap Galery. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1990 ‘El Hecho Plastico’. Andrea Giunta, Text. C.C. Recoleta.
  • 1979 Enrique Sobisch, Text. La Plata. Argentina.

Selected catalogs – Group shows

  • 2005 Beacon Artists Union / BAU. US.
  • 1999 ‘The Digital and the Physical’. Kirsten Solberg. ‘Leonardo’. Catalog / Magazine. Volume 32, Number 5. Article, Pag 412. Photo: Page 417. US.
  • 1997 ‘Arte Madi’. Exhibition at the Museum of Art Reina Sofia. Madrid, Spain. Artist’s text: ‘Madi hoy en la Argentina’.

Books

  • 2005 ‘A Look to Argentinian Art’. Raul Santana. Argentina.
  • 1992 ‘From Constructivism to Sensitive Geometry’. Jorge Glusberg. Argentina.

Press releases / Magazines

  • 2007 Hudson River / Museum & Gallery Guide. US.
  • 2007 Artworld Digest. US.
  • 2006 ‘The avant-garde in the 40’s ‘. A.M. Batistozzi. Revista Ñ / Clarin. Argentina.
  • 1999 ‘The Digital and the Physical’. Kirsten Solberg, Leonardo Magazine. Article / photo, Pages 412/417. Vol. 32, Number 5. Photo . P. 64. US.
  • 1999 ‘Alejandro Dron’s Digital Kinetic Sculpture’. Article. Feb 1999.
  • 1998 ‘A Platense at the Reina Sofia’. Lalo Panceira, Magazine / El Dia. Article / photos. Feb.1st. La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1998 ‘New York stories’. Lalo Panceira, Magazine / El Dia. Article / photos. May 10th. La Plata. Argentina.
  • 1997 ‘Madí’s magic, Artists from all over the world exhibit at the Reina Sofia’. Pablo Sobisch. Art / photo. 14/7/1997. Madrid, Spain.
  • 1995 Hypermedia N3. Color interview. Buenos Aires, Argentina. – First Mag.
  • 1992 ‘Alejandro Dron exhibits at V.O. Gallery’. Nancy Stapen, Article-Photo. September issue. Boston, US.
  • 1992 ‘Alejandro Dron, Painting and Kabbalah’. Raices. Interview. Arg.
  • 1989 ‘ Latinoamerican Identity’. Andrea Giunta, ARTINF. Argentina.

Press releases / Newspapers

  • 2008 ADN La Nacion. Blanco, Centro Borges. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2007 ‘Art in City Hall showcases Alejandro Dron’ . Mid Hudson Times.
  • 2007 Kingston Sculpture Biennial 2007. Photo / Aleph. New York Times.
  • 2006 ‘An artist’s muse’ Times Herald Record, November 18, 2006. Article / interview + photos. Newburgh, NY. US.
  • 2006 ‘Madi’s sixties anniversary’ Fabian Leblengik. Pagina 12. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2006 ‘Madi art: nostalgy for a time that didn’t come’ P. Accinelli. Clarin.
  • 2002 Dron and the Cabala. Tet. Aldo Galli. La Nacion. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 2001 ‘Respecto de Aizenberg’. Pagina 12. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1997 ‘Madí kings’, A macro exhibition rebirths geometry. Marcos 1997 1997 Barnatan, Article. July 5th, 1997. Madrid, Spain.
  • 1997 ‘The Argentinian Alejandro Dron Exhibits at Rivadavia’. Victor 1997 Amar, Interview / photo. Nov. 5th. Cadiz, Spain.
  • 1997 ‘Madi Art comes to Cadiz through Alejandro Dron’s Work’. Lalia G.S. Article-Photo. Nov. 4th. Cadiz, Spain.
  • 1996 ‘Alejandro Dron’s definitions’. EL DIA. La Plata. Argentina.
  • 1996 ‘Magnétic’. Judith Urquiza. Cronista Comercial. Cultural Suplement. Color article / exhibition review. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1996 Photo/Recoleta Exhibition. La Prensa. Buenos AiresArgentina.
  • 1995 ‘Influencies and Influencied’. Alejandro Dron. Página12.
  • 1995 ‘Dron points to the point’. Página 12. Buenos Aires Argentina.
  • 1995 ‘Alejandro Dron anticipates XXI century’. EL DIA, Article. La Plata,.
  • 1995 ‘Kosice at the Planetarium’. Aldo Galli. La Nacion. Argentina.
  • 1994 ‘Alejandro Dron ‘s work and the fullfilment of the covenant with God’. Lalo Panceira, EL DIA. Article / Photo. La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1994 ‘Ecos de 90-60-90’. A young artist responds. Alejandro Dron, Pagina 12. April 5. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1992 ‘The Abstract Revival Messages in Shapes and Colors’. Nancy Stapen, 1992 Boston Globe. Article / Photo. June 11 th. Boston, US.
  • 1992 ‘It’s still the same’. The Boston Tab. Article / Photo. June 30.
  • 1992 ‘All of Argentine geometry’. Jorge Glusberg, April 21 st. Argentina.
  • 1992 ‘Works of five painters from La Plata dedicate to Geometric Art’. Lalo Panceira, EL DIA. La Plata. Argentina.
  • 1991 ‘The Kabbalah gives more to talk about’. Pagina 12. Article. July 23. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • 1989 ‘The best of the platenses is our periferical condition’. Elio Bratt, Pagina 12. Article / Photo. Dic. 13. La Plata, Argentina.
  • 1989 ‘Yesterday, The Art City was born in La Plata’.
  • 1989 Lalo Panceira, EL DIA. Article. December 10th. La Plata, Argentina.