Etra Fine Art located in Miami’s Little River Art District presents, “WATER-ETHER” an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by artists including Andrea Dasha Reich, Douglass Freed, M.C. Escher, Claudia Hakim, and Valeria Yamamoto. To deepen an understanding of the works within the context of Aristotle’s definition of elements, guests will find printed poems and quotes, videos, and background music: all related to WATER and ETHER.
Andrea Dasha Reich “Neptune’s Wedding” 60×60” Mixed media
All are welcome to attend an open-house preview on Sunday, December 26 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. The exhibition will run through February 19th by appointment. Etra Fine Art, 6942 NE 4th Ave Miami, FL 33138. RSVP is required via Eventbrite.
Douglas Freed “Ethereal”, 2015, oil on canvas, 60 x 72″
Aristotle argued that there are four earthly elements: earth, air, water, fire, (combinations of the contrarieties: hot, cold, wet, and dry), in addition to ether (aether) of the heavens. All elements strive toward their natural placement in the universe and can change from one form to another.
M.C. Escher (Bool # 306) “Sky and Water I”, 1938, Woodcut, 17 1/8 x 17 1/4”
To elaborate:
WATER
Aristotle defined wisdom as knowledge of certain principles and causes (the essence). He commenced his investigation of the wisdom of the philosophers who preceded him, with Thales, the first philosopher, and described Thales as the founder of Natural Philosophy. He recorded: “Thales says that it is WATER”. “It” is the nature, the arche, the originating principle. For Thales, this nature was a single material substance, WATER. Despite the more advanced terminology which Aristotle and Plato had created, Aristotle recorded the doctrines of Thales in terms which were available to Thales in the sixth century B.C.E. Aristotle made a definite statement and presented it with confidence.
Claudia Hakim, “Waterfall”, 2015, woven steel rings, 10’x 35″ x 30″
ETHER
In his book “On the Heavens,“ Aristotle introduced a new “first” element to the system of the “Classical Elements” or “Ionian Philosophy” (The Ionian school of Pre-Socratic philosophy was centered in Miletus, Ionia in the 6th century BC. Miletus and its environment were a thriving mercantile melting pot of current ideas of the time. The Ionian School included such thinkers as Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Heraclitus, and Anaxagoras). He noted that the four terrestrial classical elements were subject to change and naturally moved linearly. The first element however, located in the celestial regions and heavenly bodies, moved circularly, and had none of the qualities the terrestrial classical elements had. It was neither hot nor cold, neither wet nor dry. With this addition the system of was extended to five. His philosophy saw ETHER as the fifth element, after earth, air, fire, and water. He believed the four terrestrial elements were changeable and transient, but the planets and stars were eternal and thus must be made of a different substance that transcended the earthy four. He called ETHER.
Valeria Yamamoto, “Rain II”, 2009, marble, steel, aluminum, 15″H x 11.5″W x 8″D
List of artists: Andrea Dasha Reich, Antoni Amat, Guy Bauclair, Betsy Stewart, Bruce McQuiston, Beverly Brodsky, Douglas Freed, M.C. Escher, Ana Maria Gutierrez, Claudia Hakim, Frederick Hart. Juan Raul Hoyos, Titti Kerndt, Jorge Olarte, Claudia Quacinella, Diego Santanelli, Rose Umerlik, Ronny Vaida, Antony Wigglesworth, Valeria Yamamoto, Hugo Zapata.
WATER-ETHER gallery view, Etra Fine Art
About Etra Fine Art
Now located in Little Haiti (Little River Art District) and previously rooted in the renowned Miami Design District for nearly 10 years and Wynwood for two years, Etra Fine Art focuses on representing and promoting a wide variety of mid-career and established international artists whose work represents modern and contemporary styles. The gallery exhibits paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photography, and installations that reflect progressive concepts while incorporating traditional and non- traditional materials. Because of its location at the crossroads of the Americas and Europe, Etra Fine Art has made it a priority to connect artists and collectors from both regions.
In addition to promoting and exhibiting artists, Etra Fine Art works with private collectors, corporations, and interior designers to build collections by researching, locating, acquiring, and installing an array of artwork.
Alicia Restrepo graduated in Economics first and Art later and has been in the art business since 1983. She was recognized as co-owner of one of the most important galleries in Soho in the eighties and nineties, before moving her business to Miami in the early 2000’s.
