Ariel Schlesinger reshapes the familiar through subtle, precise acts of transformation. Rooted in a conceptual, post-minimal tradition, his practice disarms everyday objects—distorting their function to unlock new layers of meaning. By engaging in a process that is both destructive and constructive, Schlesinger challenges the viewer’s sense of certainty, reanimating objects that seem ordinary with unexpected presence and potential. Gas, flame, and pressure frequently appear in his work—not as symbols of danger, but as carefully orchestrated forces held in balance. These volatile materials are transformed into elegantly controlled systems, inviting contemplation of fragility, control, and the delicate line between safety and risk. Schlesinger’s gestures are quiet yet precise, often pointing toward loss or disappearance—materializing absence into new forms. His works do not aim to narrate, but to reveal: they open subtle shifts in perception, where the everyday becomes a site of wonder, unease, or possibility. ...
