Bo Christian Larsson
Saâdane Afif
Maria Loboda
May–July 2012
38 Ludlow Street, New York, NY 10002
Bo Christian Larsson
The Emperor’s New Thoughts
May 18–June 10, 2012
Opening: Thursday, May 17, 6–9pm
Happening at 7pm, with sound by Shawn Greenlee
The Emperor’s New Thoughts is a new site-specific installation by Berlin-based Swedish artist Bo Christian Larsson, which will unfold during a happening at the exhibition’s opening, featuring music by Shawn Greenlee.
The starting point of The Emperor’s New Thoughts is a loose adaption of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen’s well-known fairy tale The Emperor’s New Clothes. Larsson had parts of the tale translated through synaesthesia, a neurological condition in which certain experiences, such as color and taste, are combined. The words of Andersen’s story were translated into colors and familiar shapes, like circles and squares. During the happening, one of Larsson’s Alter Egos will activate the visualization of the synaesthetic interpretation. This translation of movements into shapes is followed by another translation, into music: sound artist Shawn Greenlee will make the shapes audible with customized instruments, in a direct reaction to the happening.
The exhibition is accompanied by a publication with texts by Paul Stephens and Graham Parker, as well as the first published interview with each of Bo Christian Larsson’s Alter Egos, by Clara Meister.
Saâdane Afif
L’S BELLS—The Busker of the Gray Line
Composed and performed by Mount Moon
June 21–July 29, 2012
Opening: Wednesday, June 20, 6–8pm
Berlin-based French artist Saâdane Afif, recipient of the Marcel Duchamp prize in 2009, takes another step into New York after living in the city for the past six months. In the last years, Afif has asked artists, curators, and critics to write song texts referring to his work in a descriptive or metaphorical way. These lyrics are usually presented as wall texts accompanying his art objects. For his new project at MINI/Goethe-Institut Curatorial Residencies Ludlow 38, Afif invited Brooklyn-based street musician Mount Moon to write and perform compositions with nine of these texts in different American singer-songwriter styles. While the lyrics will be presented at the exhibition space, the other part of the exhibition will wander through the city with Mount Moon, who will perform the songs in the Bedford Avenue and Lorimer Street subway stations in Brooklyn.
The exhibition is accompanied by an album with all new songs and a publication. Please visit the gallery’s website for further information on the performance schedule.
In partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy within the framework of the “Carte Blanche” program.
Maria Loboda
A Guide to Insults and Misanthropy
July 7–July 29, 2012
Launch: Friday, July 6, 6pm
On view during regular opening hours, Thursday–Sunday, 1–6pm
Maria Loboda will plant a little garden with her work A Guide to Insults and Misanthropy, which manifests bitter or sad feelings through the symbolic Victorian language of flowers. Loboda considers language an artistic material amongst others, including botanics. The work continuously changes through her choice of vases and flowers. At MINI/Goethe-Institut Curatorial Residencies Ludlow 38, Loboda will put together an ensemble that will grow and change on the street in front of the exhibition space.
MINI/Goethe-Institut Curatorial Residencies Ludlow 38 is the contemporary art space and residency program of the Goethe-Institut New York, in collaboration with MINI. Clara Meister is the 2012 Curatorial Resident at Ludlow 38.
