THE ART

„The Grace of the Unknown “ is an art project by German artist MARINA DELLA PREDA. The artist created various creature sculptures by combining elements of different formerly living animals and thereby creating a fascinating world of new mystic, distinct species.

The mystical recreations which have never existed before but could nevertheless live in the future or on other worlds. Every sculpture derives from a clearly recognizable original species but has additional features that tell it apart from everything mankind knows or has seen so far. In the unusual crossings and expressions, the hybrid creatures get their surreal features.

Life, beauty, death, and rebirth are themes common to all sculptures - they are inevitable for every creature. The battle for the survival of all life is the key to art. Existence is a struggle for life - the survival of the fittest. Evolutionarily distinct creatures contain more genetic diversity. They look and behave differently. They are not just unique but desperately imperilled and unappreciated. The sculptures are a testament to the omnipresence of nature and its beauty. They are to be an inspiration and reminder to the beholder to respect nature and preserve it. With the soul gone, the body becomes just an ornament. These objects are reshaped, transformed, and brought back to life, to regain their place as a symbol of the beauty of nature.
Nowhere is beauty better set in the scene than in nature.

They document the beauty and connection with nature and are a symbol of evolution. Each sculpture tells its own story. Therefore the artworks exude a natural persuasive force and unique charisma.

Through their presence alone, these creatures inspire fantasy, poetry, and wonder.

SCULPTURES AND PHOTOGRAPHY

"The Grace of the Unknown" combines sculptures with photography of the sculptures in fascinating and mysterious landscapes and surroundings. The sculptures are always showcased in a natural but out-of-world environment.

"My work and ambition are dedicated to life, not death; my aim is to give something back to nature, not to take from it.”
I spend considerable time searching for the right objects as a basis for my objects. My quest often leads to items in basements or attics. With the soul gone, the body becomes just an ornament. These objects are reshaped, transformed and brought back to life, to regain their place as a symbol of the beauty of nature. “It`s my opportunity to freeze that moment of beauty and strength."

Each sculpture is photographed to recreate the experience of seeing these unique creatures in their natural habitat and environment. The photo aims to capture the one moment that gives depth to beauty. By using natural materials, she produces an all-encompassing new whole. The intricate craftsmanship speaks for itself. The artist creates living objects, full of calm and at the same time full of energy and strength. The refraction of light transforms the sculptures into precious and fascinating works of art.

It is a reflection of the beauty of nature and our obligation to preserve it.

"The Grace of the Unknown" creates a very distinct atmosphere and context of emotions, as it takes its beholders to another world and introduces them to its graceful and beautiful creatures. The sculptures compose a visionary scenery, myths, enigmas and are magnetized by the Unknown.

Every creature has its individual story and heritage, making all of them unique in their existence.

CRYSTALS OF LIFE

The use of crystals to create sculptures embody the process of change, destruction, rebirth , and renewal. Therefore I combine elaborate craftsmanship with the highest quality materials. Each sculpture is embellished with up to 40.000 Swarovski crystals which are the recurring theme in all my artwork. The crystals create a unique, intriguing presence for each piece adding the dimension of light as one of the essentials of our being: the material to create matter. It elicits millions of facets in a single beam of light.

Light is one of the essentials of our existence. Nowhere is beauty set better in scene than in nature itself. The light of life is self-evident and seems so simple and obvious, and the more you approach it, the more interesting it becomes. The structures and colors always change depending on the light and the position of the beholder. An opportunity to freeze that moment of beauty and strength.

The crystals bring these graceful and powerful creations to life. It is a reflection of the beauty of nature and our obligation to preserve it.

By using natural materials, the artist produces an all-encompassing new whole existence. The intricate craftsmanship speaks for itself.

"The Grace of the Unknown"  - The exhibition

 A multisensory exhibition concept with illumination, sound and scent.

It goes into a new way of art presentation to experience deep and reflective moments. It places the visitor in the role of hunter and observer. The observer is captured by the mystery that surrounds nature while observing the animals in their natural environment. The synergistic combination of physical and audio is a mosaic of infinite complexity. A thing of complete fractal clarity that gives up more and more detail, no matter how close you get to it. But if there is a sublime peculiarity to what you see then this is only because there is a sublime peculiarity to what you hear as well.

A dark and intimate exhibition room prompts visitors to be discreet and quiet as they move about - just as they would when moving through the underbrush of a forest they enter for the first time. The animals seem to appear out of nowhere while the visitor experiences moments of reflection and tranquility. Spotlights create a unique ambiance showcasing objects in the room and refracting light within the crystals. To make the visit even more meaningful, a series of spherical, earthy and fascinating sounds and scents enhance the experience. The exhibition is to be absorbed rather than merely observed.

The exhibition forms a unique bond between the modern world, our imagination and the values of tradition by preserving the identity of this imaginary creatures. It is a symbol of the beauty of nature and our obligation to preserve it.

LOGBOOK "THE GRACE OF THE UNKNOWN"

"The Grace of the Unknown" Logbook is the imaginary recreation of journeys to other inhabited worlds and planets. A new way of storytelling as it connects the artist with the objects in all media.

With additional photo and video content the beholder follows the journey to worlds and adventures far away.

Follow the artist on her exploration of foreign worlds, discovering new species in her Logbook on Facebook and Instagram.

 #marinadellapreda

FOLLOW MY JOURNEY...

OLIVER LASSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

I joined forces with the talented photographer Oliver Lassen, who created his own vision of how to set the scene for the various sculptures. He aims to capture the one moment that gives depth to beauty. 

Instead of merely illustrating a hitherto unknown world, he tells stories and creates spontaneity and empathy, capturing the attention of the viewer within the dimensions of his photographic works.

In his 25 years of professional experience he has been commissioned by a multitude of well-known clients and major brands.

Oliver Lassen lives and works in Hamburg, Germany.

Additional photography by Till Gumz