2/4/2007
Janice Kerbel
Vamiali, Athens
Two main works. First one under the title "Three Marked Decks" are templates for playing cards with tiny alterations made to the patterned backsides. The second work, "Home Climate Gardens", is a series of digital drawings that conceive of gardens determined by the climatic and architectural conditions of a range of indoor environments.
Solo show
Vamiali’s gallery is pleased to present the first solo show in
Athens of Canadian born but London based artist Janice Kerbel.
According to her words, her work is developed out of the logic that
particular structures and spaces presuppose. "I use, she writes,
identifiable conventions from a range of times and disciplines to
imagine a space between rationality and imagination, abstraction and
representation. Often taking the form of plans or studies, my work
maintains the promise of a subsequent state while rendering any such
fulfillment obsolete." How to rob a bank, how to cheat on cards, or
how to buy property of an island that does not exist are some of
Janice Kerbel’s paradoxical "proposals". Her work addresses
questions of surveillance, ecology, and conceptualism and although is
usually clean cut presented, evokes a shadowy world, a poetic view on
non-existed structures or a simple solution by providing secret
knowledge. Kerbel mingles two ways of knowledge, detailed research
and long-term investigation with escapism, poetry and dream.
For her solo show at vamiali’s she will present two main works.
First one under the title "Three Marked Decks" are templates for
playing cards with tiny alterations made to the patterned backsides.
The second work with the title "Home Climate Gardens", is a series
of digital drawings that conceive of gardens determined by the
climatic and architectural conditions of a range of indoor
environments for example “Council Flat: Wall mounted garden” or
"Gym: Respiration Garden". These schematic drawings could be
imaginary guides for potential gardeners to assemble the ideal plants
in the best arrangement for unconventional sites.
In 2006 Janice Kerbel presented one of her more ambitious projects.
Titled "Nick Silver Can’t Sleep" is a 16-minute radio play
written for insomniacs. It uses the structure of the lullaby and the
tradition of a ballad to tell a narcotic tale of thwarted desire
through the voice of 6 nocturnal plants, each character having been
developed in keeping with the botanical attributes of the individual
species. The play broadcasted on 28 October 2006 by BBC 3.
http://www.nicksilvercantsleep.org.uk
Janice Kerbel has participated in many exhibitions, among others:
Montreal Biennale, Moderna Musset, Stockholm (solo), Karin Gunther
Gallery, Hamburg (solo), Oakville Art Gallery, Ontario, Musee des
Beaux-arts, Montreal, South London Gallery, London.
Opening Tuesday 3 Arpil 2006, from 20.00
Vamiali's
Samou 1 - Athens