It has been almost two decades since a devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean caused unspeakable devastation across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, killing more than 200,000 people. Among those lost in the December 26, 2004, disaster was renowned Argentine photographer Fernando Bengoechea who, along with being a top commercial photographer, pioneered a unique and beautiful technique of re-creating his photographic images on woven paper. His subject matter is often drawn from the natural world.
Bengoechea, who was in Sri Lanka that day with his then-partner, top designer, and frequent Oprah Winfrey guest Nate Berkus, was never found after the ocean swept him away. Berkus managed to survive.
L to R: Cristina Grajales, Wendy Goodman, Nate Berkus, and Marcelo Bengoechoa on the opening night of “Woven Tapestries” at Cristina Grajales Gallery in Tribeca.
Now Berkus and Fernando’s brother, Marcelo, are paying homage to their loved one with a stunning show at Cristina Grajales gallery in Tribeca. Marcelo has taken up Fernando’s practice of weaving photographic paper—which is no small feat especially when you see the works up close—in a show called “Woven Together: Reflections” that Berkus curated. Works by both Marcelo and Fernando are displayed concurrently.
Along with the woven paper works by both brothers, Berkus included possessions he has held on to over the years, including an antique table and typewriter as well as pottery and ephemera, like business cards and receipts commemorating special places and meals that were stored in envelopes. They’re displayed alongside select works from the Grajales gallery’s eye-catching design collection, with pieces by artists like Michele Oka Doner, Hechizoo, and Aaron Poritz.
Installation view of “Woven Together,” at Cristina Grjales in Tribeca. Image courtesy Cristina Grajales.
It’s clear that Berkus and Marcelo have worked through and are still processing their grief and loss. As Marcelo eloquently put it, both in exhibit text and in a moving short film, shot in Sri Lanka: “I’ve come to accept my brother’s death, but I refuse to let his art die with him. It took me 15 years to reach that conclusion, and since then, I’ve been dedicated to keeping Fernando’s art alive.”
As for the public’s response to the exhibition, gallerist Cristina Grjales said, “The opening of our exhibition ‘Woven Together: Reflections’ was magical and the response to Marcelo’s work and Nate’s insightful and meaningful curation has been wonderful… you could see how people were captured by the story and wanted to celebrate Fernando’s legacy.”
Marcelo Bengoechea working on a woven photograph. Image courtesy Marcelo Bengoechea.
We asked Berkus to tell us about the experience of curating the show and seeing the ensuing viewer reaction. “I often think about the trajectory of my life and how fundamentally I was changed for having known and loved Fernando,” said Berkus. A decade ago, he married fellow designer Jeremiah Brent and they are currently raising two children.
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“I look at my husband and our two children, who have helped me live with his memory—and in my love for my own family, I recognize the foundation that Fernando helped to build. In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, those closest to me said that their greatest wish for me would be that one day, I would be able to look back on my time with Fernando and remember only the good things and not be focused solely on the tragic way our story ended. That time has come, and I’ve found a clear appreciation for the intensity of the gifts that he gave me.”
Installation view of “Woven Together” at Cristina Grajales in Tribeca. Image courtesy Cristina Grajales.
The opening night in late October saw a stellar turnout and featured a conversation between Nate Berkus, Marcelo Bengoechea, Wendy Goodman, and Cristina Grajales.
During the conversation, Berkus remarked: “It’s hard to believe the Indian Ocean Tsunami was 20 years ago, Fernando would never have imagined how his brother Marcelo carries on the beauty of his work today. Standing in this room surrounded by Fernando’s singular vision is spiritually, emotionally, and physically yet another treasured full-circle moment. Lucky me.”
Source: Exhibition - news.artnet.com
