2 exhibitions,Cornerstones lectures & Rotterdam Dialogues: The Critics symposium
Witte de Withstraat 50
3012 BR Rotterdam
The Netherlands
+31 10 411 0144
info [at] wdw.nl
WILLIAM HUNT
TEMPTING FATE, SWIMMING ALONE
13 Sep – 26 Oct 2008
Over the past few years, William Hunt (b. 1977, London) has garnered critical attention for his endurance–based performances, which investigate the position and the potential of the body under artificial constraints. Hunt draws upon – and questions – contemporary gender stereotypes and the cult of youth and beauty, connecting these to the iconography of pop culture.
At Witte de With, Hunt presents an installation that forms the backdrop to a series of new performances. Exploring, scanning, dissecting, multiplying and standardizing his own body in various ways, he takes a self-deprecating and ironic look at vanity and ageing. Through his multidisciplinary installation, Hunt highlights parallels between the transformative processes of making art and the metamorphoses that occur in a beauty salon, striking a chord with the battles that both artists and beauticians wage against entropy.
A limited edition publication accompanies the exhibition, featuring a compilation of texts by Sally O’Reilly.
Hunt will give a masterclass on 21 & 22 October and will be performing at the opening on 12 September and on several occasions during the exhibition. Curated by Nicolaus Schafhausen & Belinda Hak.
SUNG HWAN KIM
13 Sep – 26 Oct 2008
In his practice, Sung Hwan Kim (b. 1975, Seoul) integrates video and performance art, taking on the role of director, editor, performer, composer, narrator and poet. By approaching his own work from all production angles, his pieces are infused with his own highly subjective vision. His dream-like films depart from a linear story, yet maintain an overall narrative and aesthetic coherence.
At Witte de With, Kim will show Summer Days in Keijo – written in 1937 (2007), one of the highlights of the recent Berlin Biennale, as well as works from his In the Room series (2006/07) including installation versions of the videos Dog Video, From the Commanding Heights…, and Drawing Video (scary stories).
At 8 p.m. on 12 September, during the opening, Kim will be in conversation with Charles Esche.
A publication will follow the exhibition, featuring a conversation between Kim and Joan Jonas, and a contribution by the artist on his In the Room series. Curated by Nicolaus Schafhausen & Eva Huttenlauch.
CORNERSTONES
Witte de With continues the Cornerstones lecture series, in which every month a leading art historian speaks about the work of one key artist, whose practice may be understood as foundational to contemporary art.
Thursday 4 September: Catherine David on David Goldblatt
Thursday 2 October: Kaja Silverman on Jeff Wall
Thursday 6 November: George Baker on Pablo Picasso
Thursday 4 December: Donald Kuspit on Louise Bourgeois
7 p.m. Language: English. reservations@wdw.nl
Co-ordinated by Nicolaus Schafhausen and Renske Janssen.
ROTTERDAM DIALOGUES: THE CRITICS
SYMPOSIUM
9, 10, 11 October 2008
This symposium is the first of three Rotterdam Dialogues, exploring the expectations, positions and contexts of critics, curators and artists.
In October, over the course of 3 days, a range of critics, art historians and editors from across the world will come together to give lectures or join panel discussions to explore questions such as: “Can criticism be taught?”, “Is building an audience synonymous with building a market?”, or “Is there still such as thing as editorial authority?”.
Details of the program and confirmed speakers can be found online at www.wdw.nl
Daily from 1.30 p.m.
reservations@wdw.nl
Co-ordinated by Nicolaus Schafhausen, Zoë Gray & Ariadne Urlus.
Parallel to the symposium, the winner of the Prize for Young Dutch Art Criticism – initiated by Witte de With, de Appel and the Fonds BKVB – will be announced at 6 p.m. on Thursday 9 October in Zaal de Unie in Rotterdam (www.jongekunstkritiek.net)
