Steven Claydon: Analogues, Methods, Monsters, Machines

Opening on September 17, the Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève is pleased to present one of the most important solo exhibitions held in a cultural institution by British artist Steven Claydon.

A key figure in the British contemporary art scene, Steven Claydon maps the curious, culturally-determined territory in which objects exist. Encompassing sculpture, installation, painting, printmaking, video and performance, his practice frequently addresses the myriad ways in which objects mutate in nature and function across time, oscillating between the conditions of raw matter and social signifiers. Through divergent aesthetics and techniques—from high-tech manufacture to traditional artisanship—Claydon deconstructs the ingrained categories and taxonomies via which information is habitually transmitted and cultural capital is co-opted.

For Analogues, Methods, Monsters, Machines, Claydon has been commissioned to produce a new body of works. These explore the cultural dichotomy between history and technology, by means of a radically associative methodology, with specific references to the history and culture of Switzerland and Geneva.

Primarily consisting of new work, the exhibition also includes a number of pre-existing pieces that anticipate the themes at the heart of this new project.

An artist’s book will be published by Mousse Publishing on the occasion of this exhibition.

Steven Claydon (b. 1969) lives and works in London. He studied at Chelsea School of Art & Design and Central Saint Martins, London. He has exhibited internationally, with major exhibitions including The Fictional Pixel and The Ancient Set, Bergen Kunsthall (2015); Culpable Earth, Firstsite, Colchester, UK (2012); Mon Plaisir…Votre Travail…, La Salle de Bains, Lyon (2011); Golden Times, Haus der Kunst, Munich (2010); and Courtesy Of The Neighbourhood Watch, White Columns, New York (2006). Performances include An Equivalence Propelled, Royal William Dockyard, Plymouth, 17 September 2011; Bestiary, Cavallerizza Reale, Turin, July 2009; Ancient Set and Fictional Pixel, Serpentine Pavilion, London, 8 August 2008. In 2015 he curated with Martin Clark The Noing Uv It, at Bergen Kunsthall; and in 2007 he curated Strange Events Permit Themselves The Luxury of Occurring at Camden Arts Centre, London. In addition to his practice as an artist Claydon has been involved in experimental electronic music for over 20 years, most notably as part of the bands Add N to X, Jack too Jack with Mark Leckey, and Long Meg.  

This exhibition is curated by Andrea Bellini, Director.