SEMIOTICS OF A SPIDER

Lichtundfire is pleased to present Semiotics of A Spider, the second solo exhibition by Rodney Zelenka

at the gallery. At his previous exhibition, Rivers of Babylon (June - July, 2023), Zelenka addressed the

complexities and perils of migration, while in this series, Semiotics of a Spider, in various media, with

painting, sculpture, video and works on paper, the Panamanian born artist touches on the controversial

issue of immigration in a holistic manner. Of German, Austrian and Bohemian decent—family members

were refugees—Zelenka explores the plight of millions of people today, migrating around the globe.

From its early depiction as a good omen during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), to mysterious

appearances in Renaissance paintings and medieval still-life, and on into the 20th Century— works by

Odilon Redon, Henri Michaux and Louise Bourgeois—the spider would come to symbolize the cycle of life

and death, comfort and trauma, interconnectedness and resilience, patience and persistence, danger and

protection. Its intricate net is both a support system and a trap. Like Kafka’s insect, the spider is a

psychological term—a spider’s web is a metaphor or analogy—finding expression even as the Internet or

World Wide Web.

In Zelenka’s, The Thief - El Ladron (acrylic, ink, gold leaf on hand made rag paper, 2024), we see a spider

carrying a nest of birds on its shoulder high above a tree, behind suitcases, boots and furniture in dark

blue, symbolizing a waiting line of people at a border crossing. The spider knows no border, spinning its

golden web across any obstacle.

The show abounds with lyrical and poetic notes touching on the harsh reality and hardship of migration,

be it forced or aspirational. In the painting, Trapped (acrylic, ink, gold leaf on hand made rug paper,

2024), the spider is entangled by wire near what seems a blood line, its long legs holding on absurdly to

suitcases, pets and furniture on the other side of the fence.

In the past three years, Zelenka has focused largely on migration in a number of institutional and museum

exhibitions, mainly in Mexico and Central America, and this show continues that journey while delicately

navigating the ever changing political currents.

For additional information and events please contact Elga Wimmer curator at [email protected] - +1 646 5154898 and Priska Juschka curator and director Lichtundfire at [email protected]

Instagram: @lichtundfire and hashtag: #lichtundfire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lichtundfire\

Lichtundfire: 175 Rivington Street New York NY 10002

Contact: Priska Juschka [email protected] Tel. 917.675.7835

Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 12 – 6 pm and by appointment

www.lichtundfire.com

About Lichtundfire:

LICHTUNDFIRE was established in 2015, with a visual program emphasizing nonrepresentational, conceptual, and abstract art; especially minimal, color field, geometrical, straight edge, abstract expressionist painting, lyrical abstraction, and process work in all media, as well as abstracted, conceptual representation.

By its exhibitions, Lichtundfire's program is dedicated to developing and nurturing an active, engaged, progressive, and emancipated art community that addresses cultural and social realities as expressed through visual arts.

Beyond its carefully curated visual program, Lichtundfire seeks to actively connect with other parts of the creative community, especially in the field of poetry, literature, philosophy and Critical Theory. 

Host or Publisher priska juschka