Artist: Oier Iruretagoiena
Exhibition title: Incidencia acumulada
Venue: CarrerasMugica, Bilbao, Spain
Date: March 9 – May 11, 2023
Photography: Ander Sagastiberri / all images copyright and courtesy of the artist and CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
CarrerasMugica is pleased to present, from 9 March to 11 May, Incidencia acumulada, the third solo show by Oier Iruretagoiena at the gallery, following Gazta-hezurra / El hueso del queso in 2015 and Hezur Berriak (Nuevos huesos) in 2019.
The first step was going to the studio one day, cutting and gluing three bits of wood and leaving. I didn’t return until the next day, so that the glue would be well dry before continuing. Each time I added more parts, and the object grew day by day. Then I divided it into two and continued working on each part, and later in turn dividing them too. All the new sculptures presented here came about from that same point of origin that kept expanding, and they openly display the traces of the process, based on a succession of daily decisions. The surface exposes the inner structure, made up of layers of wood and paper paste, and you can also intuit the time that must have elapsed in the studio from the beginning until each work was considered finished. On the other hand, the veins of the wood add more layers to the already tangled mesh of sediments, and also speak of the process of growth of the pine tree from which they came. As such, both this series of sculptures and the exhibition itself are called Incidencia acumulada (Accumulated Incidence). It is the accumulation of many actions, accidents, disappointments and surprises.
The term also resonates in our recent memory, because ‘incidence’ was one of those pieces of data used to justify lockdowns, travel restrictions, COVID digital certs and face masks. We have lived through a period in which decisions based on graphics and statistics have marked our everyday lives, and this is the reason why some of the sculptures have forms that recall X and Y axes, or they include rules, as if they wished to measure the development of forms in space.
The series of small collages Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado (Helpless-Intelligent-Stupid-Bandits) is likewise based on the template for the diagram devised by the Italian historian Carlo M. Cipolla. He presented it for the first time in a humorous essay called The Basic laws of Human Stupidity, which was initially circulated solely among friends, but ended up being published widely and translated into several languages. The graph represents how the interaction between two people is based on the naivety, intelligence, stupidity or evil of both parties. It is an ironical proposal because a graph can represent what is quantifiable or measurable but not what is qualitative. The complexity of human relationships or of life itself cannot be translated to such simple schema. Hairs and traces of ink, glue and paint defy order or measurement along an axis, and play along with Cipolla’s joke.
The show is rounded off with San Sebastián (doce) (San Sebastian [Twelve]), a work from 2021, produced for the one-person show San Sebastián y el fantasma (San Sebastián and the Ghost) at Museo San Telmo de Donostia-San Sebastián. This piece has points of connection with the other works on view, both in the layered construction as well as the patterns drawn on the surface.
Oier Iruretagoiena (Errenteria, Gipuzkoa, 1988) started out in the field of experimental music before gradually opening up to other formats like sculpture. He graduated with a BA in Fine Art from UPV-EHU in 2011, including an exchange with Universitat de Barcelona, and in 2018 he took part in the WIELS residency programme in Brussels. He has had solo shows at the Ana Mas Projects gallery in Barcelona (2022), at Museo San Telmo in Donostia-San Sebastián (2021), at CarrerasMugica in Bilbao (2019 & 2015) and at the Halfhouse space in Barcelona (2014), among others, plus an upcoming show this autumn at WIELS in Brussels. He has also exhibited his work in various group shows: El sentido de la sculpture at Fundació Joan Miró in Barcelona (2021), Generación 2020 at La Casa Encendida in Madrid (2020), Le Petit Cercle Bruxellois at Institut de Carton in Brussels (2019), Bi Dos Two at Azkuna Zentroa in Bilbao (2018), Cale, cale, cale! Caale!!! at Tabakalera in Donostia-San Sebastián (2017), and Otzan at Galería Elba Benítez in Madrid (2016). In addition, from 2011 to 2020 he was one of the coordinators of Club Le Larraskito in Bilbao, and since 2020 he writes a column for the Berria newspaper.
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada Viii”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Wooden Rulers, Varnish, 93 x 50 x 25 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada Viii”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Wooden Rulers, Varnish, 93 x 50 x 25 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada Viii”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Wooden Rulers, Varnish, 93 x 50 x 25 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada Viii”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Wooden Rulers, Varnish, 93 x 50 x 25 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada II”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Paper Mache, Paint, Varnish, Plastic Rulers, 103 x 58 x 50 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada II”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Paper Mache, Paint, Varnish, Plastic Rulers, 103 x 58 x 50 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada II”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Paper Mache, Paint, Varnish, Plastic Rulers, 103 x 58 x 50 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IV”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Papier Mache, Paint, Varnish, Wooden Rulers, 90 x 80 x 61 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IV”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Papier Mache, Paint, Varnish, Wooden Rulers, 90 x 80 x 61 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada VI”, 2023, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Papier Mache, Ink, Paint, Varnish, Wooden Rulers, 92 x 68 x 65 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada VI”, 2023, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Papier Mache, Ink, Paint, Varnish, Wooden Rulers, 92 x 68 x 65 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IV”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Papier Mache, Paint, Varnish, Wooden Rulers, 90 x 80 x 61 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IV”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Papier Mache, Paint, Varnish, Wooden Rulers, 90 x 80 x 61 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IV”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Papier Mache, Paint, Varnish, Wooden Rulers, 90 x 80 x 61 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IV”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Papier Mache, Paint, Varnish, Wooden Rulers, 90 x 80 x 61 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada I”, 2022, Pinewood, Plywood, Papier Mache, Varnish, Wooden Ruler, 153 x 60 x 43 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, “San Sebastián (Doce)”, 2021, Wood, Papier Mache, Chewing Gum, Ink, Varnish, Two Elements: 243 x 10 x 10 cm and 243 x 10 x 1 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “San Sebastián (Doce)”, 2021, Wood, Papier Mache, Chewing Gum, Ink, Varnish, Two Elements: 243 x 10 x 10 cm and 243 x 10 x 1 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “San Sebastián (Doce)”, 2021, Wood, Papier Mache, Chewing Gum, Ink, Varnish, Two Elements: 243 x 10 x 10 cm and 243 x 10 x 1 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada VII”, 2023, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Paper Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Wood And Metal Rulers, 136 x 65 x 15 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada VII”, 2023, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Paper Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Wood And Metal Rulers, 136 x 65 x 15 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada VII”, 2023, Pine Wood, Plywood, Dm, Paper Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Wood And Metal Rulers, 136 x 65 x 15 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado II”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Ink, Prints, Hairs, 29 x 21,5 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado VI”, 2022, Plastic, Ink, Prints, Hairs, 30 x 18 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado V”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Prints, 26 x 17 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado VII”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Ink, Prints, Hair, Glue, 22 x 18,5 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado III”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Ink, Prints, Hairs, 26,5 x 18 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado IX”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Ink, Prints, Hairs, 22 x 15,5 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado X”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Ink, Prints, Hairs, 26,5 x 15,5 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado VIII”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Prints, Hair, 21,5 x 15,5 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado XI”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Prints, Hair, 37 x 25,5 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado I”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Ink, Tape, 30 x 21,5 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incauto-Inteligente-Estúpido-Malvado IV”, 2022, Plastic, Paint, Prints, 23 x 16 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada III”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Varnish, 102 x 67 x 40 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada III”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Varnish, 102 x 67 x 40 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada III”, 2022, Pine Wood, Plywood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Varnish, 102 x 67 x 40 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IX”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Steel Cable, 126 x 88 x 9 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IX”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Steel Cable, 126 x 88 x 9 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IX”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Steel Cable, 126 x 88 x 9 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IX”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Steel Cable, 126 x 88 x 9 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IX”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Steel Cable, 126 x 88 x 9 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada IX”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, Steel Cable, 126 x 88 x 9 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada X”, 2023, Pinewood, Papier Mache, Paint, Ink, Varnish, 86 x 65 x 20 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada V”, 2023, Pinewood, Plywood, Papier Mache, Varnish, 100 x 65 x 27 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada V”, 2023, Pinewood, Plywood, Papier Mache, Varnish, 100 x 65 x 27 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada V”, 2023, Pinewood, Plywood, Papier Mache, Varnish, 100 x 65 x 27 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, “Incidencia Acumulada V”, 2023, Pinewood, Plywood, Papier Mache, Varnish, 100 x 65 x 27 cm
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao
Oier Iruretagoiena, Incidencia acumulada, 2023, exhibition view, CarrerasMugica, Bilbao