Alexej Meschtschanow at Klemm's
Following their 2007 exhibition 'Mal de América' at ProjecteSD in Barcelona, Raimond Chaves (Bogotá, 1963) & Gilda Mantilla (Los Angeles, 1967) opened the exhibition 'Observaciones sobre la ciudad de polvo' (Observations around the city of dust) on Friday 5 June, which remains open until August 2010.
The works present a reading of the Peruvian capital Lima, the city where the artists currently live, and inspired by its peculiar climate: "a city with an opaque atmosphere, cloudy and little renewed, due mostly to the city location. Encircled by the Northern mountain range, the city holds the vapours coming from both the coast and the perspiration of the fertile vegetation that surrounds it, and given the weakness of southern winds, the fog cannot overcome the moutain tops" (quote by Hipólito Unanue included in the press release).
'Observaciones sobre la ciudad de polvo' presents a range of delicate two and three dimensional works made out of recycled cardboard (the tones ranging from grey to brick to beige in reference to Lima's climate) as well as wood and acrylic. A related series is concurrently shown at Galeria Revólver in Lima (until 19 June). The project was awarded with a Fundación Marcelino Botín grant (2008–9).
Chaves & Mantilla have collaborated since 2001, and have published books including Hangueando Periódico de Cordel – Descarga Cultural en Puerto Rico (2004) and Dibujando América (2009) amongst others. They recently participated in the 27ª Bienal de Sao Paulo (2006) and the II trienal Poli/Gráfica de San Juan, Latinoamérica and the Caribean (2009). 
Chaves is giving a lecture on Tuesday 8 June, 19.30. 
Rendering of 'Frozen'. Courtesy the artist and Frieze Foundation
Installation of 'The Museum of Incest' during the 2009 Frieze. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Latitudes | www.lttds.org
Installation of 'The Museum of Incest', Provenances, Umberto di Marino, Naples (14 May–14 September 2009). 