Bildmuseet: Elias Crespin / Chronomorphosis

Elias Crespin's mobile sculptures move slowly and gracefully in intricate, precise formations, seemingly floating freely in the air in a mesmerising exhibition on Bildmuseet’s top floor. Chronomorphosis opens at Bildmuseet on 15 March during Art Friday with Littfest – Umeå International Literature Festival.

Press preview on Wednesday, 13 March at 10 am (RSVP). Museum curator Brita Täljedal presents Elias Crespin / Chronomorphosis in conversation with the artist. On the same occasion, we will also present the group exhibition Eight Degrees / Contemporary Art on the Forest ( press release).

Circles, squares, lines, and triangles in metal or acrylic, suspended by barely noticeable nylon threads, create geometric choreographies based on mathematical algorithms. Bildmuseet now presents Elias Crespin's work for the first time in the Nordic countries. Through continuous motion, seemingly endless variations emerge. Shapes expand and fragment, only to glide together into coherent figures; chaos gives way to order, complexity to simplicity. The sculptures are controlled by a multitude of programmed motors concealed beneath the gallery ceiling.

With a background in programming, Crespin started working as an artist in the early 2000s. His fascination with mathematics and natural sciences is a cornerstone of his art. These subtle and hypnotically evocative works invite contemplation on form, space, movement, and time.

Crespin gained significant attention for his piece Grand HexaNet, showcased in the 2018 Artists & Robots exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris. This led to his commission to create a permanent work for the Louvre in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the museum’s iconic pyramid entrance. With his work L'Ondedu Midi, he stands today as one of the few now living artists represented at the Louvre.

Elias Crespin (b. 1965, Venezuela) is a trained computer engineer and was active in Caracas until 2008. Today, he resides and works in Paris. His works have been presented in biennials and prominent venues in numerous countries, including at the Cuenca Biennial, Ecuador; the Busan Biennale, South Korea; the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, USA; the Grand Palais and Musée de la Musique in Paris, France; the Boghossian Foundation, Maison Particulière, and Verrière Hermès in Brussels, Belgium; ZKM Zentrum für Kunst und Medien in Karlsruhe, Germany; and UCCA Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, China. His works are held in collections at renowned institutions, including the Louvre and Maison de l'Amérique Latine in Paris, France; the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and El Museo del Barrio in New York, USA; and MALBA, the Buenos Aires Museum of Latin American Art, Argentina.

Elias Crespin / Chronomorphosis is produced by Bildmuseet and curated by Brita Täljedal. It runs from 15 March and until 12 January 2025.

Press preview 13 March, 10 am

Museum curator Brita Täljedal presents Elias Crespin / Chronomorphosis in dialogue with the artist. On the same occasion, the group show Eight Degrees / Contemporary Art on the Forest will be presented by Curator Sofia Johansson and two of the participants, artist Elia Nurvista and architect Toms Kokins.

Opening 15 March, 6 pm

Deputy museum director Anders Jansson will deliver the opening words at 6 pm. Following that, Elias Crespin will present his exhibition in conversation with museum curator Brita Täljedal.

Press requests and images

For press requests, email press.bildmuseet@umu.se, or call press officer Helena Vejbrink at +46(0)90 7869073. To download press images, please visit www.bildmuseet.umu.se/en/pressimages