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27/9/2003

Pilgrimage

Bronx River Art Center, New York

Curated by Grace Moon

This show examines the concept of pilgrimage both literally and figuratively in a non-religious context. Pilgrimage presents ten artists from across the US and the world whose work revolves around or redefines a destination, an internal journey or the events of an external one. A pilgrimage is a journey or trip undertaken with faith to a venerable destination. The historic practice of pilgrimage is well documented. The Hijira retraces Mohammed's eight-year journey of war and persecution from Medina to Mecca. For the Catholics the ''Stations of the Cross'' retraces the steps Jesus took on the day of his crucifixion. The circumambulation of Mount Meru by Buddhists includes a full ritual at every step. This journey is filled with hardship and conflict. In today's modern world, where does humankinds' desire to make a life-affirming journey take place?

In some cases it's the destination that's important as in Lizzi Scott's ''bathroom coverings.'' Lizzi's work revolves around making silk floor dressings for different bathrooms in New York, filled with gold trimmings and satin linings. This recalls the devotion paid to Indian statuary, which is regularly outfitted in garments, flowers, bathed, fed and cared for. It is understood that the deity is alive in the stone, metal or porcelain form which its fashioned.

Dread Scott, known for his controversial ''flag burning'' performance on the steps of the White House in the early 90's, focuses on location. His works talk about where things happen and to whom, as well as to the historical and social significance of it. It's these kinds of socially charged places of conflict that become destinations of Pilgrimage. Los Angeles painter Billy Keane derives short poignant messages about society from his subjects who come from the streets of Los Angeles. Billy's paintings of poor immigrants and other marginalized members of our society are a confrontational look at the hopes and dreams of those who have searched for fortune in the ''Home of the Free.''

Photographer Felicia Megginson's subject matter is her own shadow. She has documented her shadow in places around the world such as Mexico, Italy, and her neighborhood of Brooklyn. Her works document a kind of spirit traveling through the world on its life's journey. Video / Installation artist Stephanie Dinkins uses her surroundings to elucidate mundane environments. She reacts to what would otherwise go unnoticed by the common eye. In doing so Stephanie unveils the historical narrative that lies beneath the surface.

Eugene Miller creates drawings made up of tiny dots with .05 ink-drafting pens. His work takes long intense focus on a repetition of dots moving in concentric patterns. This process for him is a meditation, an arduous, disciplined practice. German artist Margitta Zachert uses architectural shapes drawn and painted directly on the wall. Her wall murals create tension between belief and knowledge- the very components of a pilgrim's journey. Sue Scott uses the ''craft'' of weaving and knitting to express ideas of journey. Using these simple forms as a metaphor for historic journey and personal quest.

Installation and sound artist Jacqueline Baum uses the human body as a vehicle to express bodily sensations such as weightlessness, deep meditation, and claustrophobia, in a kind of dream world akin to a pilgrim's state of mind in performing sacrifices at a holy site. Austrian artist Alexandra Gredler has created her own painting language filled with colorful anthropomorphic forms that inhabit equally mysterious worlds. Her paintings are an imaginary journey in which the artist and the viewer explore this unusual universe.

The Bronx River Art Center
1087 East Tremont Ave. Bronx, NY 10460
Hours:
Monday-Friday 3:00pm - 6:30pm
Saturday Noon - 5:00pm

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