Aadieu Adieu Apa (Goodbye Goodbye Father) is a new installation by Olivia Plender that delves into the history of mass public spectacle and its relationship to issues of sovereignty, by focusing in part, on the British Empire exhibition which took place in the west London suburb of Wembley in 1924. In her work, Plender seeks to interrogate the methods and approaches used to record, interpret and recount historical events. The exhibition also explores theatricality in politics in the present day and incorporates the artist's long standing interest in political satire and popular printing. Marie Kolbaek Iversen and Jordan Wolfson open studio represents an unique opportunities to gain an insight into the working processes of 2 contemporary artists who are each at pivotal moments in their careers.
Olivia Plender
AADIEU ADIEU APA (Goodbye Goodbye Father) is a new installation by Olivia Plender that delves into the history of mass public spectacle and its relationship to issues of sovereignty, by focusing in part, on the British Empire exhibition which took place in the west London suburb of Wembley in 1924.
In her work, Olivia Plender seeks to interrogate the methods and approaches used to record, interpret and recount historical events. The exhibition also explores theatricality in politics in the present day and incorporates the artist's long standing interest in political satire and popular printing.
As an event, the British Empire exhibition aimed to educate the public about Britain's trading relationships with the countries that were part of its Empire, whilst displaying the apparent ‘benefits’ of Imperialism. Simultaneously, the event played a key role in promoting the emerging leisure and tourism industries, as well as the westward expansion of London which promised a new suburban lifestyle, branded as ‘Metro-land' living.
By considering the ritualistic and theatrical ways in which imperial power and the idea of ‘progress’ were exemplified in World's Fairs, AADIEU ADIEU APA (Goodbye Goodbye Father) makes parallels with the economic and social effects of the contemporary tourism industry and mega-events, such as the 2012 Olympics.
The installation at Gasworks comprises of new works including a museum-like diorama: a partial reconstruction of the site at Wembley where the British Empire exhibition took place, in which models of all the national pavilions are overlaid with fictive narratives and contemporary scenarios. This is accompanied by a series of hand-drawn posters which, based on examples of popular printing through the ages, announce seemingly absurd historical occurrences. Meanwhile, a video work, incorporating footage of Wembley stadium and its surrounding residential areas, functions as an absurdist lecture on British history. Other narratives related to the theme of nationalism feed into the installation: these range from the attack on the Rokeby Venus at the National Gallery made by the suffragette Mary Richardson in 1914, to the recent use of anti-terrorist law by the British government to seize Icelandic bank assets.
Alongside the opening of the exhibitions will be the preview of Marie Kølbæk Iversen's Open Studio.
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Marie Kølbæk Iversen and Jordan WolfsonI open studio
Open Studio continues: 25 - 27 September, 12-6pm
The forthcoming open studio weekend and talk by residency artists Marie
Kølbæk Iversen (Denmark) and Jordan Wolfson (USA) are unique opportunities
to gain an insight into the working processes of two contemporary artists
who are each at pivotal moments in their careers.
Jordan Wolfson is the fourth recipient the Cartier Award, a major
initiative led by Frieze Projects in collaboration with Gasworks and
sponsored by Cartier. Wolfson has used the opportunity of living in London
and working at Gasworks to develop a major new site specific project which
will be shown during Frieze Art Fair (15-18 October 2009).
Jordan Wolfson uses video, film and conceptual strategies to reflect on
the ways in which we receive and appropriate information. The artist
borrows images and references from various sources ranging from television
and film to personal anecdotes. Wolfson often uses irony in his
installations and works to subvert his source material and introduce a
sharp cultural or political commentary.
For his talk at Gasworks, Wolfson will present examples of his recent
projects and discuss the themes and research which has informed them. This
intimate setting offers an opportunity to gain a personal insight into
this international artist's work before it comes to the attention of the
wider art world.
Marie Kølbæk Iversen's residency is supported by the Danish Arts
Foundation and Blix Foundation. The artist creates installations which use
closed circuit video technology and feedback to explore ideas of
perception and representation. By foregrounding the technical process and
the creative potential of the viewer, her work focuses on the moment when
immediate perception and experience supersede cognition.
During her residency at Gasworks, Iversen has continued exploring closed
circuit technologies. For the open studio Iversen has divised a series
of experiments in which she strategically uses video cameras, photocopiers
and Polaroids. These investigations challenge the visitors immediate
conception of such representational technologies by scrutinising and
reducing them down to their material properties.
Gasworks
Founded in 1994, Gasworks is an art organisation based in South London,
housing twelve artists' studios and proposing a programme of exhibitions
and events, artists' residencies, international fellowships and
educational projects. Gasworks focuses on visual arts practice in its
broadest sense, working discursively with UK-based and international
artists to facilitate the development of their work. Gasworks' programme
is committed to providing a responsive context, and to disseminating
critical practices to a wider audience. Gasworks is part of the Triangle
Arts Trust, an international network of artists and organisations.
Established firmly in the London contemporary art scene, Gasworks'
residency programme provides non-UK based artists with the opportunity to
work in London, developing projects or conducting research benefiting from
London's resources. Complementing their residency is Gasworks’ dynamic
programme of exhibitions, education and outreach projects, and events.
Marie Kølbæk Iversen
Marie Kølbæk Iversen lives and works in Copenhagen. Recent exhibitions
include Documents of Self, Gallery Jules Julian, Copenhagen (2009); Topaz,
Martin Asbæk Gallery, Copenhagen (2009); the Spring Exhibition, Kunsthal
Charlottenborg, Copenhagen (2009); Reconfigure, The Drawing Room, London
(2008) and Exit 08, Copenhagen (2008). Alongside her art practice she is
also co-founder and editor of contemporary art journal Internationalistisk
Ideale.
Jordan Wolfson
Jordan Wolfson's recent solo exhibitions include The Exhibition Formerly
Known as Passengers, CCA Wattis Institute, San Francisco (2009); Untitled
False Document, Swiss Institute, NYC (2008) and Jordan Wolfson, T293,
Naples (2008). Recent group exhibitions include: Learn to Read, Tate
Modern (2007); T2 Torino Triennial, Torino (2008) and the Whitney
Biennial, NYC (2006).
Image: Marie Kølbæk Iversen, Prism, 2009, closed-circuit video-installation
For further information or images contact Amy Croft:
press@gasworks.org.uk
or 020 7587 5202
Preview: Thursday 24 September 2009, 7-9pm
Gasworks Gallery
155 Vauxhall Street, London
Open Wednesday - Sunday 12-6pm
free admission