Venice Biennale: Ron Arad
Ron Arad’s ‘Last Train’ takes luxury to new heights as part of the 2013 Venice Biennale.
‘Last Train’ is Ron Arad’s response to diamond manufacturers Steinmetz’s initiative to create a work of art that incorporates diamonds. After witnessing a man etching a message on a window of the last train from Naples, Arad was inspired to explore this with diamonds.
Diamonds have been used to etch since the 16th century, often carrying messages of love, hate, rebellion or pain. From Elizabeth I who scratched love vows on bottles and jars with her ‘promise ring’ or ‘scribbling ring’ to Robert Burns who scratched poems on glass panes to thousands of train travelers.
The development of Arad’s work saw him create a cast of his fist poised against a glass pane and wearing a diamond ring. Using an iPad to transfer information to the ring, images drawn on the iPad are visualised on the glass pane. Arad has invited other artists including Christian Marclay, Ai Weiwei and Francesco Clemente to use the technology and share a message as part of the Biennale.
Arad offers a new perspective on the value of a luxury material. He uses technology to highlight that diamonds can be also functional. Arad suggests that the true value of a diamond lies it in its strength, rather than as a symbol of wealth and adornment.
‘Last Train’ is on display until Sunday 24 November 2013 at Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti, San Marco, Venice, Italy.
This post forms part of fluoro’s coverage of the 55th Venice Biennale.
