Press Release: Artpace San Antonio Unveils New Works: 06.3:
On View Nov 16, 2006 ?n 14, 2007
11.13.06
For Immediate Release: November 8, 2006
Media Contact: Mary Heathcott
t 210 212 4900 x327
f 210 212 4990
mheathcott@artpace.org
www.artpace.org
SAN ANTONIO, TX rtpace San Antonio is pleased to announce New Works: 06.3, on view November 16, 2006 through January 14, 2007. The exhibition presents new projects by resident artists Chiho Aoshima (Tokyo, Japan), Katie Pell (San Antonio, TX), and Allison Smith (New York, NY). Selected by Tom Eccles, Bard College?Center for Curatorial Studies, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, each artist alternately addresses technological exploration with an emphasis on sexuality and morbidity, the role of fate and circumstance in personal and cultural identity, and contemporary politics.
About The Artists
Chiho Aoshima?murals feature birds, flowers, ghosts, and demons colorfully infused with traditions of Japanese comics, animation, and landscape painting. Though deeply informed by art histories, this fantasy world of desire and terror is rooted in the technological future through its 21st century vocabulary and computer generated form. For her Artpace project Aoshima continues an interest in mortality with her first wall-mounted watercolors, reflecting the spirit of San Antonio?iconic landscape.
Through drawing, performance projects, and comic books, Katie Pell irreverently explores personal and cultural identity, as well as the potential for celebrity in everyone. Pell?ambitious Artpace project references the expressive art of lowrider culture while addressing issues of gender and class. Her installation of pinstriped stoves, detailed vacuum cleaners, and chromed toasters constructs a parallel universe in which domestic appliances are customized with the competitive zeal of car fanatics.
Allison Smith?objects and performances mine pivotal events of America?past to illuminate contemporary politics. At Artpace Smith continues her investigation of the cultural phenomenon of historical reenactment and the role of craft in the construction of national identity with new works like the performative sculpture ?bby Horse.?art of a series in which Smith monumentalizes 19th century toys, this piece plays on the history of equestrian statuary and makes references to characters such as Robert E. Lee and Holly Hobbie. Join Artpace for a special performance by Alison Smith during the opening celebrations on November 16.
About The Curator
Tom Eccles is the Executive Director of Bard College?Center for Curatorial Studies. Prior to that appointment, Eccles served as Director of the Public Art Fund, New York, NY since 1996. While at the Public Art Fund, Eccles defined new directions for the creation and installation of contemporary art in public spaces, organizing engaging exhibitions with artists such as Vito Acconci, Mark Dion, Christine Hill, Kim Sooja, Olav Westphalen, and former Artpace residents Teresita Fern‡ndez and Paul Pfeiffer. Eccles holds an MA in Philosophy and Italian from the University of Glasgow in Scotland and has lectured at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
New Works: 06.3 is made possible by the Nimoy Foundation, and Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy, with additional support from the Texas Commission on the Arts, The Brown Foundation, Inc., and Rosina Lee Yue and Bert A. Lies, Jr., MD.
Related Events
Opening Reception and Artists?ialogue
Thursday, November 16, 6:00-8:30 PM
Celebrate the completion of new installations by Chiho Aoshima, Katie Pell, and Allison Smith. Exhibition preview begins at 6pm, followed by the Artists?ialogue from 6:30-7:30pm moderated by guest curator Tom Eccles. A public Opening Reception will take place 7:30-8:30pm. Join Artpace for a special performance by Alison Smith at 8:00pm.
Brown Bag Lunch
Wednesday, November 29, 12:00-1:00 PM
Join curator Kate Green for a guided tour of New Works 06.3 followed by a brown bag lunch (provided by Sip) and group discussion. Call Artpace for menu and reservations.
Exhibition Dates
The New Works: 06.3 exhibitions will be on view at Artpace through January 14, 2007.
About Artpace
Artpace San Antonio serves as a laboratory for the creation and advancement of international contemporary art. Artpace believes that art is a dynamic social force that inspires individuals and defines cultures. Our residencies, exhibitions, and education programs nurture the creative expression of emerging and established artists, while actively engaging youth and adult audiences.
Artpace is located downtown at 445 North Main Avenue, between Savings and Martin streets, San Antonio, Texas. Free parking is available on the corner of Savings and N. Flores streets. Artpace is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5 PM, Thursday, 12-8 PM, and by appointment. Admission is free.
Artpace San Antonio is supported by Kronkosky Charitable Foundation; Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy; Neiman Marcus; Nimoy Foundation; Valero Energy Corporation; Texas Commission on the Arts; H-E-B; The National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art; the William and SalomŽ Scanlan Foundation; The Brown Foundation, Inc.; AT&T; The Nordan Trust; Target; Matthews Family Foundation; the Amy Shelton McNutt Charitable Trust; the Make Your Mark Circle; and the Friends of Artpace.
445 North Main Avenue San Antonio TX 78205 t 210 212 4900 f 210 212 4990 www.artpace.org
© 2006 Artpace San Antonio