![](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/vielmetter_2023_expochicago_install01_hires-1681417956-2048x1365.jpg)
![This image illustrates a link to the exhibition titled Expo Chicago 2023 | Booth 201](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/vielmetter_2023_expochicago_install01_hires-1681417956-2048x1365.jpg)
Press Release
Installation photo credit: Mikhail Mishin
Raffi Kalenderian & Bari Ziperstein
EXPO Chicago, Booth 201
April 13 – 16, 2023
Vielmetter Los Angeles is pleased to present a two-person presentation of new works by Raffi Kalenderian and Bari Ziperstein for EXPO Chicago. Both based in Los Angeles, Kalenderian and Ziperstein, work in highly patterned and intricately detailed modes in painting and ceramics respectively. In the spirit of collaboration, Kalenderian and Ziperstein conceived of their works for this presentation to be in dialogue with each other– Kalenderian’s paintings depict the imagined interiors of Ziperstein’s ceramic buildings, referencing Soviet-era architecture and design.
Kalenderian, known for his portrait paintings that depict friends, family, and a milieu of local artists and creatives builds up densely elaborate compositions that transform interior and exterior spaces into ornate, nearly dreamlike scenes. In his newest works, Kalenderian takes inspiration from Ziperstein’s practice which centers on a highly researched interest in Brutalist architecture and Soviet-era design, placing his portrait subjects into interiors based on archival images and patterns from the same time period. Kalenderian’s style melds seamlessly with the highly decorous interior spaces, textiles, etc. that are often the source material for Ziperstein’s work making for an unexpected collaboration that delights in exuberant colors and richly ornamented interiors.
Since 2015, Ziperstein has focused her research-based practice on Brutalist architecture and Soviet propaganda along the lines of posters, textiles, and everyday domestic items. Her research intersects both her interest in exploring her family’s history and the politics of aesthetics. Transmuting the forms of Brutalist architecture and patterns of Soviet-era textiles and design into discrete sculptures and wall works in ceramic, Ziperstein’s works are heavily detailed with intricate surfaces, raucous colors, and complex structures. Her suite of sculptures acts as a miniature city of bijoux buildings tessellated with carved shapes and patterns, reconstructing their distinct forms into objects that interrogate and contradict her source materials’ original intentions. In a series of wall works, the shape of which is inspired by 1980s TV sets, Ziperstein’s ceramic sculptures use a singular form to underscore the seriality of the Soviet agenda and reimagine their forms into highly decorous surfaces that relish in the play between her choice of color, mastery in glazing, and ornamental carving and convey the desire to transmute a unifying message.
Raffi Kalenderian (b. 1981, Los Angeles) graduated with a BFA from UCLA in 2004. His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at University Art Museum, Long Beach,CA; Kunstmuseum St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland; the Saatchi Gallery, London, UK; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA; Nassima Landau Foundation, Tel Aviv, Israel; Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY; Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland; Tif Sigfrids, Comer, Georgia; McEvoy Foundation for the Arts, San Francisco, CA; Buchmann Galerie, Berlin, Germany; Galerie Lefebvre & Fils, Paris, France; Lundgren Gallery, Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Eleven Rivington, New York, NY; and Brand New Gallery, Milan, Italy. His work is in the collections of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Bari Ziperstein (b.1978 in Chicago, IL) lives in Los Angeles, CA. She received a Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA in 2004 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a certificate in Women’s Studies from Ohio University, Athens OH in 2000. Solo exhibitions of her work have been presented at Bethel University, Minneapolis, MN; Museum of Art, Architecture, and Design, Santa Barbara, CA; Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art, Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Long Beach City College Project Space, Long Beach, CA; The Harris Art Gallery, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA; and the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco, CA; Charles Moffett Gallery, New York, NY; and Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
Her work has been included in group exhibitions at Wende Museum, Culver City, CA; Craft Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA; Ben Maltz Gallery, Otis College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, CA; American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA; Vincent Price Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA; 18th Street Projects, Santa Monica, CA; Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA; Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA; California Museum of Photography, Riverside, CA; Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA; Nina Johnson, Miami, FL; and Jeffrey Deitch, New York, NY.
“Isis,” 2023
Oil on linen
60" x 84" [HxW] (152.4 x 213.36 cm)
Inventory #KAL318
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Mikhail Mishin
![kalenderian_318_isis_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kalenderian_318_isis_hires-2048x1463.jpg)
“Isis,” 2023
Oil on linen
60" x 84" [HxW] (152.4 x 213.36 cm)
Inventory #KAL318
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Mikhail Mishin
“Opaque Windows,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
19" x 11 ¹⁄₄" x 11 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (48.26 x 28.58 x 28.58 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1024
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1024_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1024_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Opaque Windows,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
19" x 11 ¹⁄₄" x 11 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (48.26 x 28.58 x 28.58 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1024
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Between Borders II,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 18" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.72 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1018
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
![zip1018_hires-(1).jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1018_hires-1-2048x1684.jpg)
“Between Borders II,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 18" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.72 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1018
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
“Joe,” 2023
Oil on linen
84" x 60" [HxW] (213.36 x 152.4 cm)
Inventory #KAL316
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Evan Bedford
![kalenderian_316_joe_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kalenderian_316_joe_hires-1365x2048.jpg)
“Joe,” 2023
Oil on linen
84" x 60" [HxW] (213.36 x 152.4 cm)
Inventory #KAL316
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Evan Bedford
“Diamond Head,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
14 ¹⁄₂" x 13" x 12 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (36.83 x 33.02 x 31.75 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1030
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1030_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1030_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Diamond Head,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
14 ¹⁄₂" x 13" x 12 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (36.83 x 33.02 x 31.75 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1030
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Puppet,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
18" x 18" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.72 x 45.72 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1020
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
![zip1020_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1020_hires-2048x1663.jpg)
“Puppet,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
18" x 18" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.72 x 45.72 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1020
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
“Neena,” 2023
Oil on linen
98" x 70" [HxW] (248.92 x 177.8 cm)
Inventory #KAL319
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Mikhail Mishin
![kalenderian_319_neena_hires-1681418080.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kalenderian_319_neena_hires-1681418080-1365x2048.jpg)
“Neena,” 2023
Oil on linen
98" x 70" [HxW] (248.92 x 177.8 cm)
Inventory #KAL319
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Mikhail Mishin
“Chicago Transit,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
19 ³⁄₄" x 15" x 8 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (50.17 x 38.1 x 20.96 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1031
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1031_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1031_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Chicago Transit,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
19 ³⁄₄" x 15" x 8 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (50.17 x 38.1 x 20.96 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1031
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Weathervane Head,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 17 ³⁄₄" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.09 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1022
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
![zip1022_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1022_hires-2048x1865.jpg)
“Weathervane Head,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 17 ³⁄₄" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.09 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1022
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
“Wyatt,” 2023
Oil on linen
84" x 60" [HxW] (213.36 x 152.4 cm)
Inventory #KAL317
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Evan Bedford
![kalenderian_317_wyatt_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kalenderian_317_wyatt_hires-1365x2048.jpg)
“Wyatt,” 2023
Oil on linen
84" x 60" [HxW] (213.36 x 152.4 cm)
Inventory #KAL317
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Evan Bedford
“Sweet Façade,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
12 ³⁄₄" x 11" x 9" [HxWxD] (32.39 x 27.94 x 22.86 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1029
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1029_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1029_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Sweet Façade,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
12 ³⁄₄" x 11" x 9" [HxWxD] (32.39 x 27.94 x 22.86 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1029
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Bricked Underwater,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 18" x 5" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.72 x 12.7 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1021
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
![zip1021_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1021_hires-2048x1718.jpg)
“Bricked Underwater,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 18" x 5" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.72 x 12.7 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1021
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
“Self Portrait,” 2023
Oil on canvas
72" x 48" [HxW] (182.88 x 121.92 cm)
Inventory #KAL320
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Fredrik Nilsen
![kal320_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kal320_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Self Portrait,” 2023
Oil on canvas
72" x 48" [HxW] (182.88 x 121.92 cm)
Inventory #KAL320
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Fredrik Nilsen
“Maze,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 17 ³⁄₄" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.09 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1017
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
![zip1017_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1017_hires-1990x2048.jpg)
“Maze,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 17 ³⁄₄" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.09 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1017
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
“Brick Goo,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
21 ¹⁄₂" x 12" x 12" [HxWxD] (54.61 x 30.48 x 30.48 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1032
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1032_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1032_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Brick Goo,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
21 ¹⁄₂" x 12" x 12" [HxWxD] (54.61 x 30.48 x 30.48 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1032
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Julian,” 2023
Oil on canvas
60" x 48" [HxW] (152.4 x 121.92 cm)
Inventory #KAL321
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Mikhail Mishin
![kalenderian_321_julian_hires-1681418102.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kalenderian_321_julian_hires-1681418102-1463x2048.jpg)
“Julian,” 2023
Oil on canvas
60" x 48" [HxW] (152.4 x 121.92 cm)
Inventory #KAL321
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Mikhail Mishin
“Klein Satellite Home,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
14" x 9" x 9" [HxWxD] (35.56 x 22.86 x 22.86 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1027
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1027_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1027_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Klein Satellite Home,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
14" x 9" x 9" [HxWxD] (35.56 x 22.86 x 22.86 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1027
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Between Borders III,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 17 ³⁄₄" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.09 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1023
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
![zip1023_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1023_hires-2048x1679.jpg)
“Between Borders III,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
17 ³⁄₄" x 17 ³⁄₄" x 5 ¹⁄₄" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 45.09 x 13.34 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1023
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
“Alex,” 2023
Oil on linen
48" x 36" [HxW] (121.92 x 91.44 cm)
Inventory #KAL322
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Evan Bedford
![kalenderian_322_alex_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kalenderian_322_alex_hires-1365x2048.jpg)
“Alex,” 2023
Oil on linen
48" x 36" [HxW] (121.92 x 91.44 cm)
Inventory #KAL322
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Evan Bedford
“Midnight Rain,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze on walnut base
17 ³⁄₄" x 17" x 15" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 43.18 x 38.1 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1028
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1028_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1028_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Midnight Rain,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze on walnut base
17 ³⁄₄" x 17" x 15" [HxWxD] (45.09 x 43.18 x 38.1 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1028
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Solidar Boy,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
18" x 18" x 5" [HxWxD] (45.72 x 45.72 x 12.7 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1019
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
![zip1019_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1019_hires-2048x1675.jpg)
“Solidar Boy,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
18" x 18" x 5" [HxWxD] (45.72 x 45.72 x 12.7 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1019
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Bari Ziperstein Studio
“Lauren,” 2016
Oil on canvas
84" x 104" [HxW] (213.36 x 264.16 cm)
Inventory #KAL309
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Fredrik Nilsen
![kal309_hires-(1).jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/kal309_hires-1-2048x1614.jpg)
“Lauren,” 2016
Oil on canvas
84" x 104" [HxW] (213.36 x 264.16 cm)
Inventory #KAL309
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Fredrik Nilsen
“Flowers and Tassels,” 2022
Stoneware and glaze
16 ¹⁄₂" x 20" x 20 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (41.91 x 50.8 x 52.07 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1012
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1012_hires-(1).jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1012_hires-1-1536x2048.jpg)
“Flowers and Tassels,” 2022
Stoneware and glaze
16 ¹⁄₂" x 20" x 20 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (41.91 x 50.8 x 52.07 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1012
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Olive Satellite Home,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
14" x 9 ¹⁄₂" x 9 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (35.56 x 24.13 x 24.13 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1026
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1026_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1026_hires-1536x2048.jpg)
“Olive Satellite Home,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze
14" x 9 ¹⁄₂" x 9 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (35.56 x 24.13 x 24.13 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1026
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
“Banned Flower Power II,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze on walnut base
18 ¹⁄₂" x 8 ³⁄₄" x 8 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (46.99 x 22.23 x 22.23 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1033
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane
![zip1033_hires.jpg](https://vielmetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/zip1033_hires-1518x2048.jpg)
“Banned Flower Power II,” 2023
Stoneware, underglaze and glaze on walnut base
18 ¹⁄₂" x 8 ³⁄₄" x 8 ³⁄₄" [HxWxD] (46.99 x 22.23 x 22.23 cm)
Inventory #ZIP1033
Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles
Photo credit: Jeff McLane