A Tale of Regeneration Through Metal Sculpture: Michael Marras, at Summit Artspace.

In his upcoming solo exhibition The Bottom of Reality, Akron artist Michael Marras is getting back to the joy of creating.
Marras is best known for his large-scale public artworks—including the recently completed twenty-foot sculpture on The University of Akron’s campus—and his anthropomorphic and fantastical figures, created from found metal and featured in acclaimed exhibitions like Art Basel Miami. After years of focusing on commissioned work, he views The Bottom of Reality as an opportunity to have some fun experimenting in the studio, create works that he has planned for years, and share a fresh body of work.

Marras’ sculptures are composed of steel parts gathered from Akron’s decaying industrial giants, juxtaposed with computer-generated laser-cut parts. He combines old technology with modern technology to create entirely new work.
The show tells stories that are part of a larger narrative running through Marras’ exhibitions, including “Voyages of the Drum Heller.” In the new exhibition, he continues his tale about a vessel of records that catalogs and collects items, journeying across space and time.

An excerpt from his recent short story, “Journey through the bottom of reality,” provides a glimpse of the world Marras invites us to explore:

The Drum Heller had returned, its hull scarred from the journey through the depths of reality. It had roamed across impossible distances, tracking threads of existence where few dared to venture. It gathered relics from this vast and mysterious, yet strangely familiar place, each item holding history, sharing unknown connections with those who observe them.

Among the treasures were some of the ship’s favored finds: the Moon King’s sword and helm, ancient symbols of an antediluvian age. The scents of shadow-beasts still clung to the air, mingling with the unmistakable whir of familiar insects. Some creatures were barely recognizable, others hauntingly familiar.

“The ship represents my process of storytelling through sculpture. This ongoing story also reflects my fabrication process as many of the parts in my work are found objects from Akron,” explains Marras. “We have no shortage of crumbling historic buildings and old factories in this city, and one day soon they’ll all be gone. I love taking the discarded and forgotten and giving it new life through stories and steel.”

This is a highly productive period for Marras. “I have a lot of new processes I will experiment with for this show, and I plan to finish some sculptures I haven’t had time to get to in the last few years. I’m producing a lot of pieces so that I can offer them at an affordable price.”

The Bottom of Reality is on view April 11–June 14 in the Betty & Howard Taylor Main Gallery at Summit Artspace. Opening night will take place from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, April 11, along with four additional spring exhibitions throughout the building. View the exhibition in person on Fridays from noon to 7 pm and Saturdays 11 am to 5 pm and virtually at summitartspace.org.

SUMMIT ARTSPACE
140 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
summitartspace.org
330.376.8480

EVENTS:

Spring Exhibitions, April 11–June 14
Betty and Howard Taylor Main Gallery: The Bottom of Reality, a solo exhibition by Michael Marras
Welcome Gallery and hallways throughout the building: Congressional High School Art Competition
Intersections Gallery: Group 10 Member Exhibition, Impressions and Expressions
Forum Gallery: Artists of Rubber City Juried Exhibition
Horizon Gallery: our BIPOC+ artist Janoi Daley featuring her solo show, New Chapter