Vincenzo De Cotiis's latest exhibition at Carpenters Workshop Gallery in New York City is an immersive and meditative experience, titled "Je Marchais Pieds Nus Dans L'Étang" or "I Walked Barefoot in the Pond". The show features 50 unique pieces that blur the line between concrete and nature, inviting viewers to step into a dreamlike environment where organic forms and shifting reflections come together.
De Cotiis's design is heavily influenced by Claude Monet's late water lily landscapes, which gave way to abstract beauty as the artist's vision was clouded by cataracts. The exhibition takes this idea further, creating a three-dimensional space that dissolves into abstraction, where objects crafted from glass and bronze recreate a fluid, immersive experience of light and nature.
The exhibition is largely about material transformation, exploring how ancient materials can be reinvented to create visions of future worlds. De Cotiis's sculptures appear as enigmatic creatures in distorted forms, with surreal, skeletal stems that evoke the elongated, fluid legs of water lilies. As viewers navigate the installation, their perception of these objects shifts with movement and proximity.
The show invites viewers to slow down, notice subtle shifts of light and absorb nuance, particularly in a city defined by speed. By recreating the sensation of a pond, De Cotiis captures the essence of water through the use of painted Murano glass and cast white bronze, creating an interplay of opacity and translucency.
De Cotiis's contribution to current conversations around materiality and sculptural practice is significant. He brings a distinctive sculptural language that merges ancient idioms with futuristic forms and expressions. His approach often transforms imperfection and patina into sources of beauty, suggesting that crafted objects can function as both timeworn relics and visions of future worlds.
Ultimately, "Je Marchais Pieds Nus Dans L'Étang" is an exhibition about dissolving boundaries between design and art, inviting viewers to experience the work at a meditative pace. De Cotiis's unique vision and skillful manipulation of materials create an immersive environment that invites contemplation and reflection on the transformative power of nature in our fast-paced urban lives.
De Cotiis's design is heavily influenced by Claude Monet's late water lily landscapes, which gave way to abstract beauty as the artist's vision was clouded by cataracts. The exhibition takes this idea further, creating a three-dimensional space that dissolves into abstraction, where objects crafted from glass and bronze recreate a fluid, immersive experience of light and nature.
The exhibition is largely about material transformation, exploring how ancient materials can be reinvented to create visions of future worlds. De Cotiis's sculptures appear as enigmatic creatures in distorted forms, with surreal, skeletal stems that evoke the elongated, fluid legs of water lilies. As viewers navigate the installation, their perception of these objects shifts with movement and proximity.
The show invites viewers to slow down, notice subtle shifts of light and absorb nuance, particularly in a city defined by speed. By recreating the sensation of a pond, De Cotiis captures the essence of water through the use of painted Murano glass and cast white bronze, creating an interplay of opacity and translucency.
De Cotiis's contribution to current conversations around materiality and sculptural practice is significant. He brings a distinctive sculptural language that merges ancient idioms with futuristic forms and expressions. His approach often transforms imperfection and patina into sources of beauty, suggesting that crafted objects can function as both timeworn relics and visions of future worlds.
Ultimately, "Je Marchais Pieds Nus Dans L'Étang" is an exhibition about dissolving boundaries between design and art, inviting viewers to experience the work at a meditative pace. De Cotiis's unique vision and skillful manipulation of materials create an immersive environment that invites contemplation and reflection on the transformative power of nature in our fast-paced urban lives.
on a sunny day 
, surrounded by lush greenery 
. The atmosphere is peaceful & calming 
. Now imagine that same scene, but instead of water lilies, there are sculptures made from glass & bronze 
. They're like enigmatic creatures 
, with distorted forms & surreal stems 
. As you move around them, the light dances across their surfaces, creating an otherworldly experience 
.
. He takes ancient techniques & turns them into futuristic masterpieces 
. It's like he's saying, "Hey, imperfections are beautiful too!" 
. By slowing down the pace of city life 
, we can appreciate the beauty in everyday things 
. This exhibition is a must-see for anyone who loves art, nature, or just wants to escape the hustle & bustle of urban life 
.
it's all about dissolving boundaries between design and art, which is so on point with our fast-paced urban lives. de cotiis's approach to material transformation is super interesting - how ancient materials can be reinvented to create visions of future worlds. i love that he's exploring imperfection and patina as sources of beauty. it's like, we don't have to be perfect to be beautiful 
! He's managed to blend concrete and nature in a way that feels so dreamlike, you can almost step into his sculptures 
. It's like he's transported us away from the hustle and bustle of city life and back to a more natural state 
. It's all about slowing down and noticing the little details – it's meditative, in a good way 
. His use of painted Murano glass and cast white bronze creates an amazing interplay of texture and light 
. It's like he's showing us that even the most imperfect things can be beautiful in their own right 
.
. By embracing imperfection and patina, he's reminding us that crafted objects can be both timeless relics and visions of the future 
!
and i'm not even kidding when i say this exhibition is the perfect antidote to city life in nyc - it's all about slowing down and appreciating the little things 
. The way he merges concrete and nature is straight fire 
. And the use of materials? Mind. Blown. The way he takes ancient stuff and makes it new again is genius 
. I think we need more of this in our fast-paced world, you know? Less distractions and more time to slow down and appreciate the little things 
I mean, who wouldn't want to walk barefoot into a pond in the middle of Manhattan? 
I could stare at it all day! 
️ and it was like walking into a dream world 
! The way Vincenzo De Cotiis blended concrete and nature is straight magic 
. It's like you're stepping into an alien world where light and shadow create these surreal forms 
. It's all about dissolving boundaries between design and art, and I think he nailed it 
, and I'm still thinking about how nice it is to have some space between buildings where you can actually breathe 
. anyway, have you ever noticed how some sculptures look like they're made of water? like, De Cotiis's stuff, but also the sea glass I found on the beach last year... it's like, you can just imagine the ocean moving and changing around them, even when you're standing still