From December 12, 2001 to February 9, 2002, Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba is pleased to present Conference, an exhibition of contemporary work by 20 emerging and mid-career artists. After September 11, the concept for this exhibition came to fruition from discussions of how the work of varying artists--near and far off--might be affected by the events that have changed our world, and perhaps our worldview as well.
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| "Sanguine Bedtime Stories", Catya Plate, Exhibition View |
While initial responses seemed dire, essentially, a number of artists believed
that the way they were currently working seemed ever more relevant; some had
become concerned with summing up or of wanting to complete projects; others
to forge new directions; and a few so disheartened, they felt like not working
at all. Still, we prompted everyone to exhibit, and changing from the original
title, Live or Die, determined to hold a dialogue of works of art, a
Conference. Under these circumstances, artists were not asked to create
specific work unless they felt so determined. Rather this exhibition provides
a glancing view, of what is going on now in the studios of artists of numerous
cultural sources and from many parts of the world.
Although Conference does not profess to capture the precise changes
in art that will be attributed to this period in future analyses, it provides
an early glimpse of strong, meaningful work selected intuitively by artists
for exhibition at an anxious and potent moment of change. The results are tough,
alternately disturbing or thought provoking objects, along with powerful images
of wistful beauty and clarity.
Text: Corrine Jennings
Participating Artists:
Wilmer Jennings Gallery at Kenkeleba
219 E. Second Street at Avenue B
New York, NY 10009
Gallery hours: Wed. to Sat. from 11AM-6PM
For information contact: Corrine Jennings 212 674 3939
Note: Conference is presented in conjunction with the exhibit