April, 2004 |
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Current ExhibitNetwork A Collaborative exhibition between Raid Projects and De Parel, of Amsterda Featuring: Tim Braden (London), Arno Coenen (A'dam), Brian Cooper (LA), Martin Durazo (LA), David Estis (LA), Jon Furmanski (LA), Tomo Savic Gecan (A'dam), Marie-Jose Jongerius & Stijn Ghijssen (A'dam), Carolyn Kay (NY), Julia Latane (LA), Boris van Nes (A'dam), Boo Ritson (London), Jaime Scholnick (LA), Kerry Skarbakka (Chicago), Alison Smith (LA). ose Bellver, Douglas Buis, Sky Burchard, Ron Laboray, Susan Logoreci, Reed McMillen, Mike Vegas, Sabina Ott, Jonathon Podwil, Eve Wood Network Curated for de Parel by Britt Hendriks and Nienke Vijlbrief The project "Network" basically consists of two exhibitions. Between February 20 and March 14 2004, 13 American and British artists, invited by Max Presneill from Raid Projects showed their work in the exhibition space of de Parel in Amsterdam. On April 3 2004 the follow-up of "Network" will take place in Los Angeles: the same American and British artists that exhibited their work in will now show their work in Raid Projects, combined with the works of 5 Dutch artists (3 individuals and one duo) that have been invited by de Parel. Although this exhibition will feature artists from the "networks" of both initiatives, de Parel did not seek to establish a coherent whole based on similarities in content, style or aesthetics. Network as a theme therefore expresses the long-term relationship between two initiatives, and also functions as a basis for the choice that underlies the selection of the artists and specific works. These artists have one thing in common: they all have a connection with de Parel, Amsterdam and Los Angeles. Boris van Nes, Tomo Savic-Gecan en Marie-Jose Jongerius have been invited for an exhibition at Raid Projects before. Arno Coenen lived in the city for nearly a year on an assignment commissioned by the Dutch Fund for Visual Arts, Architecture and Design (Fonds BKVB) As a result of de Parel's first exhibition at Raid Projects in 2002 Marie-Jose Jongerius and her partner Stijn Ghijsen made actual use of the networking possibilities and decided to move from Amsterdam to Los Angeles almost immediately. Santa Monica has been the basis of their successful practice ever since. Their work reveals an attentive eye for remarkable details in every day surroundings, especially for artificiality versus nature. In the exhibition they will show 3 photo works that deal with their perception - as "outsiders" - of the distinctive Californian landscape that is marked by the typical desert scenery and highly cultivated urban nature. The conceptual work of Tomo Savic-Gecan connects locations over a long distance. Recently the exhibition space of the Amsterdam art centre W 139 was transformed into another gallery: the Moderna galleria in Budapest. On another occasion visitors of an exhibition unknowingly set in motion an escalator in a Zagreb shopping mall. The artist resides in the Netherlands, but is currently taking part in the residency program of PS 1 in New York. From there he will establish a connection (by means of sensors and cellular phones) between Los Angeles - the "capitol" of the American Dream - and a relatively inconspicuous provincial town in Macedonia. The physical effects of this work, caused by the visitors of the exhibition in Los Angeles, will only be noticeable for the inhabitants of the Macedonian town. Boris van Nes builds site-specific installations from ready-made material that is collected on the spot. These materials are combined with murals, light objects, video footage, sound-scapes and paintings on panel. The resulting compositions appear to be formal and aesthetic, but by implementing the audio-visual language of traffic signs and alarm signals he creates an "unsafe" zone, warning the spectators about immanent danger. Last year he made an installation consisting of material from the L.A. Traffic Department for the Lines of Conduct exhibition, filling Raid Projects' whole North Gallery. A local musician from The Brewery complex composed the accompanying sound-scape. For the upcoming exhibition Van Nes will be asked to make adjustments both inside and outside the gallery space. Arno Coenen based his computer animation 'The Last Roadtrip' on his stay in Los Angeles in 1999 and the roadtrip that he then actually made. While the work is basically a transcription of highly personal experiences, it can also be read as a strong visual critique on American culture. Coenen has up till now never shown the film in L.A. itself. This exhibition enables him to finally present 'The Last Roadtrip' in the context and environment from which it emerged. To add a distinctive Dutch touch to the exhibition in Raid Projects, de Parel has also selected Coenen's 'Je Maintiendrai': a gigantic inflatable Dutch coat of arms that will be erected on the doorstep of Raid Projects, covering the larger part of the gallery's facade. Although the selected works can be deployed in a versatile manner within the exhibition, they clearly distinguish themselves from their American 'counterparts'. De Parel has chosen to put works on display that all, in a very direct or more subtle way, originate from a dialogue with Los Angeles, California. In this way, Network not only refers to the putting together of an international group exhibition, combining works from artists that are represented by both initiatives, but also to interacting with the situation at hand. Gally Hours are 12 - 5pm Saturdays, or by appointment. Raid Projects 602 Moulton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031 Tel: 323/ 441-9593 |
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