Denial is a River

SculptureCenter is pleased to present Denial is a River, a group exhibition that explores how syndromes translate into matter, allowing for a complex of social currents to become visible from the surface through eruptions, gurgles and patterns. This exhibition stems from the methods and tactics of the seven selected In Practice artists, placing their concerns into a larger field of artistic practice. (See below for more information on SculptureCenter's In Practice program.) Denial is a River will be on view September 10 - November 18, 2006 with an opening reception on Sunday, September 10th 4-6pm.

Compiled through a convergence of interests, artists in Denial is a River reflect syndromes within a common cultural condition: syndromes that effect access to information and affect collective historical data. Appropriations from various sources, fragments from a shared political heritage, are surreptitiously modified, or juxtaposed, to create other narratives or discourses. Sometimes they confuse the issues, sometimes they expand, sometimes they isolate, sometimes they denounce. Denial is a River functions in the controversy between the systems of convention and codification, belief and communication.

Denial is a River incorporates a diverse set of media and disciplines, from Jean-Luc Godard's 1970 video Ici et Ailleurs to conceptual clothing design by Azra Akšamija. Matthew Lusk transforms SculptureCenter's courtyard into a Boy Scout encampment rendered dysfunctional. Acconci Studio contributes Virtual Intelligence Mask (1993) in which the wearer's view of the world is mediated through cameras placed on the crown of the mask. Melissa Dubbin and Aaron S. Davidson install CIA Reading Room for Kids (2006) decorated with elaborate wallpaper and toy-like butterflies that, upon a closer look, display former military encoding devices, and include a compilation of books for children recommended by the CIA. Wonjoo Park addresses convention and control by constructing two electric chairs, one from US letter sized paper and the other from A4 paper, the standard in Europe and Korea, the artist's home country. Rita Ackermann exhibits her archives and diaries for the very first time, informing the viewer about the making of her infamous veiled women whose cultural backgrounds are overlaid with meaning.

In Practice is an ongoing series designed to support the creation of innovative work by emerging artists. The projects are selected individually and reflect the diversity of approaches to contemporary sculpture. Artists participating in the In Practice program are Douglas Boatwright, Melissa Dubbin & Aaron S. Davidson, Valerie Hegarty, Matthew Lusk, Edgar Orlaineta, Wonjoo Park, R.H. Quaytman, and Karen Yasinsky.

Support for the In Practice project series is generously provided by the Jerome Foundation in celebration of the Jerome Hill Centennial and in recognition of the valuable cultural contributions of artists to society.

Pressetext

Denial is a River

mit Vito Acconci / Acconci Studio, Rita Ackermann, Azra Aksamija, Geraldine Belmont, Douglas Boatwright, Christoph Büchel, Melissa Dubbin & Aaron S. Davidson, Jean-Luc Godard / Anne-Marie Mieville & Jean-Pierre Gorin, Nicolas Guagnini, Valerie Hegarty, Institute for Applied Autonomy, Nate Lowman, Matthew Lusk, Edgar Orlaineta, Wonjoo Park, R. H. Quaytman, Allyson Spellacy, Karen Yasinsky

Texte / Essays: Hakim Bey, John Hawkes, John Hejduk, Gareth James, Dr. Seuss, Paul Virilio