Tangled Up In You
Connecting, Coexisting, and Conceiving Identity
February – August 2008
street level gallery
The multi–stranded threads of family and romance that wind their way through
each of our lives are explored, celebrated, and interrogated in the 21c Museum's
current exhibition. From Louise Bourgeois's searing childhood drama
to Bill Henson's provocative, mysterious vision of young love,
to Will Ryman's sculptural staging of an interminable Family Dinner,
these works examine the tension, the tenderness, and the inescapability of our most
essential relationships. We are born connected to others, as Max Streicher's
Trio in a Box so poignantly illustrates. The struggle to create a
unique self fosters an endless cycle of attraction and repulsion, of defining and
denying boundaries at once.
Communication, verbal, physical, and otherwise, is the essential tool for both self–expression
and for connecting with others. Several of the works included examine the complex
ways in which both individuals and groups speak, touch, and reach outward and inward
– attempting to create and conceive a conceptual place as unique beings and
in communion with others. This labyrinthine exploration of communication and individuality
is examined by Kenneth Feingold's talking heads sculpture: who
is the You of the title? Is it one of the heads, or is it the viewer?
Eva Koch's evocative video Approach offers a celebratory
invitation to marvel at the human drive for communication, for a communion between
self and others that is seen, heard, and felt.
"An artist can show things that other people are terrified of expressing."
– Louise Bourgeois
The works in this exhibition offer us an unashamed glimpse of those bonds of family
and loved ones that are embedded within us. Using materials that both repel and
attract, Andres Krisar explores a darker commentary on family relationships.
Guerra de la Paz, on the other hand achieves an almost whimsical
approach – through their use of reclaimed materials, they explore the human
condition and family ritual. Displaying an unfamiliar or sometimes disturbing insight,
these artists allow us to marvel at our own hindrances and uniqueness that makes
us undeniably human.
Including a variety of mediums such as sculpture, photography, printmaking, and
video, Tangled Up In You marks the second year of exhibitions held
in the first floor gallery at 21c Museum Hotel.
Exhibited Works
- Albano Afonso (Brazilian), Natureza Morte,
2006. Glass and wooden box, mirror on plastic bones and light equipment.
- Hans op de Beeck (Belgian), All Together Now…,
2006. Video, running time 6:20 min.
- Louise Bourgeois (French), Blue Bed, 1998. Etching and
aquatint in colors.
- Louise Bourgeois (French), Hologram #4, 2003. Hologram
glass.
- Louise Bourgeois (French), Hologram #6, 2003. Hologram
glass.
- Kelli Connell (American), The Valley, 2006. Digitial lambda
print.
- Guerra de la Paz (Cuban), The Family, 2005. Mixed media.
- Kenneth Feingold (American), You, 2004. Silicon, fiberglass,
electronics, computers, bedding and compressor.
- leonardogillesfleur (American), Irreconcilable Differences
#1, 2005. Mixed media.
- leonardogillesfleur (American), Irreconcilable Differences
#2, 2006. C-print.
- Bill Henson (Australian), Untitled, 2000-2002. C-print.
- Nico Jorcino (Argentinian), Life Cycle, 2006. Mixed media,
ironing board, bat, iron, laundry, motor, wooden table.
- Hendrik Kerstens (Dutch), Bathing Cap, 1992. C-print.
- Hendrik Kerstens (Dutch), Pimp up towel, 2006. C-print.
- Eva Koch (Danish), Approach, 2005. Video, running time
3:20 min.
- Anders Krisar (Swedish), One as Two, 2005. Aluminium,
magnets, cable, hardware.
- Christa Parravani (American), Before the Meadow, 2006.
C-print.
- Robert Pettena (British), Victorian Play, 2002. Video and photograph.
- Will Ryman (American), Family Dinner, 2005. Sculpey, plywood,
plastelina, acrylic paint, resin, PVC tubing, wire mesh and papier-mache.
- Carlos and Jason Sanchez (Canadian), The Baptism, 2003.
C-print.
- Max Streicher (Canadian), Trio in a Box, 2006. Nylon,
spinnaker, electric fan.
- Bill Viola (American), Surrender, 2001. Video installation.
- Ed Young (South African), It’s Not Easy, 2004. Video,
running time 4:31 minutes.
Tangled Up In You
Connecting, Coexisting, and Conceiving Identity
street level gallery
February – August 2008
›
exhibition details
Blue Apple Players:
an exhibition of tableaux vivants
May 13 - July 31, 2008
Gallery 3
›
exhibition details
New Acquisitions and Highlights
Opened February 2, 2007 – ongoing exhibition
atrium gallery
›
exhibition details
Mickie Winters
Learning to Bend Series
gallery 1 atrium level
Opening reception in conjunction with Ben Sollee cd release performance Nov 16th
and 17h
›
exhibition details