SculptureCenter is pleased to present Christian Tomaszewskis On Chapels, Caves and Erotic Misery and The Happiness of Objects opening on Sunday, April 29, 2007, 4-6pm.
Christian Tomaszewski
On Chapels, Caves and Erotic Misery
April 29 July 29, 2007
Since 2004, Christian Tomaszewski has been plunging into the entrails of David Lynch’s cult classic Blue Velvet (1986). Tomaszewski has been meticulously reconstructing parts of the film in real space: exploring the ability of architectural fragments to convey dramatic narrative. Tomaszewski is fascinated by the challenge of superimposing one space and structure onto another: the first, artificially woven together through film editing; the second, a totalizing structure defined by the walls and activities of the exhibition space. Both sets of conventions dissolve in their collision, leading to a third reality, which is a thematic structure in itself.
On Chapels, Caves and Erotic Misery also alludes to Kurt Schwitters Merzbau and the inexhaustible process of its re-creation. The installation keeps growing and changing with each exhibition and venue. Tomaszewski initiated this project with Luxe Gallery in New York City in 2004 and continued to develop it with Gallery Atlas Sztuki in Lodz, Poland in 2005. A full installation was recently shown at Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz in Germany in 2006. The project was most recently on view at Kunstforum Ostdeutsche Galerie Regensburg in Germany (January 26-March 18, 2007). Tomaszewski evolves and reorganizes the project with each presentation so that each exhibition creates a new, total environment. Completely transforming the lower level of SculptureCenter, Tomaszewski will develop and present the culminating iteration of On Chapels, Caves and Erotic Misery this summer.
For more information, click here to download the full press release.
The Happiness of Objects
Felipe Arturo, Fia Backström, Andrea Blum, Tom Burr, Valentin Carron, Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP), Philippe Decrauzat, Sylvie Fleury, Harald Hund & Paul Horn, Craig Kalpakjian, Allan Kaprow, Jutta Koether, Sol LeWitt, John Miller, Olivier Mosset, Nils Norman, Amy O’Neill, Mamiko Otsubo, Ward Shelley (with Pelle Brage, Eva Lacour, Douglas Paulson, Maria Petschnig, Alex Schweder), J. St. Bernard, Haim Steinbach, Lan Tuazon Documents: Wim Delvoye, Robert Indiana & Larry Aldrich, Mel Ramos, Annette Tison & Talus Taylor
Organized by SculptureCenter curator Sarina Basta
April 29 July 29, 2007
The Happiness of Objects embraces W.J.T. Mitchells invitation to consider the possibility that objects have their own desires (What do Pictures Want? The Lives and Loves of Images, 2005). While Mitchell focuses on the relationship between the image or object and the viewer, The Happiness of Objects will attempt to capture what objects want from other objects, from the context of their display to potential response to their presence. This necessarily involves a mixture of formal and subjective concerns such as space, light, proximity, hybridization, and life expectancy. Vitrines will display documents that examine pose and objectification, dimensions of scale, and mimesis.
In attempt to crystallize some of the main points of Mitchells hypothesis, the exhibition proposes The Objects Bill of Rights, a non-exhaustive and disputable list. It is also a prelude to considering the object as an autonomous subject within a larger society of objects. At a moment when human rights seem negotiable, The Objects Bill of Rights is a satirical proposition albeit with a genuine interest in the formal properties and some of the set of relations that art objects engage with.
For more information, click here to download the full press release.
To download The Object’s Bill of Rights click here.
Upcoming Events at SculptureCenter
Mark Dion and Nils Norman Present: Travel the World and the Seven Seas
Tuesday, May 1, 7pm at LIC Bar, 45-58 Vernon Boulevard at 46th Avenue
Join us for a slide slam with Mark Dion and Nils Norman. These established artists and researchers will present their archives, curiosities, and recent endeavors in the warm convivial atmosphere of local favorite LIC Bar.
Print Out Launch
Saturday, May 5, 3pm
Initially created in spring 2003, Print Out is a magazine meant to be compiled by its readers. Composed of artists editions, artists texts, and sound pieces, the project has taken its current form in 2007 thanks to the support of SculptureCenter. This launch event celebrates the generosity of its contributors: Vito Acconci, Donatos Airtos, Cory Arcangel, Katia Bassanini, Olaf Breuning, The Converters with John Thrupp, Electrophilia, John Giorno, Gareth James, Marie-Eve Jetzer, Carl June, Maria Mirabel, Olivier Mosset, Paul-Aymar Mourgue dAlgue, The New Humans, Nils Norman, Shahrzad, Reena Spaulings, and Kelley Walker.
Yates McKee Presents: The Monstrous
Thursday, June 28, 7pm
Yates McKee is a New York based critic and art historian. He has contributed to publications including October, Flash Art, and the Journal of Aesthetics and Protest. McKee will address the aesthetico-political problem of the monstrous in contemporary art. Followed by a screening of Brian De Palma’s Hi, Mom! (1970).
Speak Easy: Readings on the Rocks
Thursday, July 12, 7pm
Bring blankets and snacks for a relaxed summer evening with readings by Ross Cisneros, Sarah Lookofsky, Joanna Malinowska, Jackie McAllister, Adam McEwen, Haley Mellin, Maria Mirabal, Montevideo (Rita Ackerman and Emily Sundblad), Olivier Mosset, Michael Portnoy, Garrett Ricciardi, Michael Smith, Trevor Smith, Agathe Snow, Mindy Vale, and special guests.
For additional information please contact SculptureCenter: (1) 718.361.1750 or info@sculpture-center.org
Media contact: Katie Farrell, kfarrell@sculpture-center.org
About SculptureCenter
Founded by artists in 1928, SculptureCenter is a not-for-profit arts institution dedicated to experimental and innovative developments in contemporary sculpture. SculptureCenter commissions new work and presents exhibits by emerging and established, national and international artists. In 2001, SculptureCenter purchased a former trolley repair shop in Long Island City, Queens. This facility, designed by artist/designer Maya Lin, includes 6,000 square feet of interior exhibition space, offices, and outdoor exhibition space.
SculptureCenter
44-19 Purves Street
Long Island City, NY
(1) 718 361 1750
Directions
7 to 45th Road / Courthouse Square, E or V to 23rd / Ely, or G to Courthouse Square (note: the V train does not run on weekends). From all trains, walk north on Jackson Avenue one block past 44th Drive and turn right onto Purves Street.
SculptureCenter is five minutes from Midtown by subway.
Thanks
SculptureCenters programs are supported in part by The National Endowment for the Arts; New York City Councilman Eric Gioia; The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; and The New York State Council on the Arts; as well as The A. Woodner Fund; The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; Bloomberg; Citibank; The Dedalus Foundation, Inc.; The Jerome Foundation; JPMorgan Chase; The Ken and Judith Joy Foundation; The Kraus Family Foundation; The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation; The New York Community Trust; and The Starry Night Fund of the Tides Foundation.
On Chapels, Caves and Erotic Misery is made possible in part by Christopher E. Vroom and the Polish Cultural Institute. Christian Tomaszewskis project is presented through SculptureCenters Artist-in-Residence program, funded by grants from The Kraus Family Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Happiness of Objects is made possible in part by Jeanne Donovan Fisher, Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Council and with the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum New York.
