Mieses to Pieces. The title of the show 'Mieses to Pieces' is on one hand a reference to Mies van der Rohe while at the same time it alludes to the fragmentary and deconstructivist character of Scanlan's citation. The 'play' on words aspect refers to a traditional cartoon series in the USA about the eternal battle of a cat against its favorite enemy, the mice (slang: mieses).
The American artist Joe Scanlan is showing work from his series "Store A" in his
second solo show at the Galerie Martin Janda Raum Aktueller Kunst from September
9th to October 18th. The title of the show "Mieses to Pieces" is on one hand a
reference to Mies van der Rohe while at the same time it alludes to the
fragmentary and deconstructivist character of Scanlan's citation. The "play" on
words aspect refers to a traditional cartoon series in the USA about the eternal
battle of a cat against its favorite enemy, the mice (slang: mieses).
Light gray chipboard floor tiles on a modular wooden construction - on this,
aluminium pillars designed by Mies van der Rohe - form the elements of the
central piece in this show of Scanlan's most recent work. The content structure
and the spatial components of the "Store A" studio in Brooklyn are the starting
point for a great variety of different presentations. "Store A" is workshop and
industrial firm, studio and structural construction office, presentation space
and salesroom - a cross section of possible production centers and economic
systems. The floor of this space generates object autonomy, while at the same
time it functions as a display for Scanlan's "sculptural products": DIY (Do It
Yourself) - a set of instructions for self-assembly. For example, one can
produce an inexpensive coffin from two "Billy" bookcases and several further
IKEA products by following the accompanying handbook.
Joe Scanlan's show playfully thematizes the achievements and faults of the
modern age, juxtaposes industrial production with traditional trades, and draws
from the fund of economic trading to more accurately define his artistic
strategies.
The gallery will take part at Frieze Art Fair in London from 17-20 October 03.
Opening: Monday, September 8, 2003
Length of the exhibition: September 9 - October 18, 2003
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Image: Joe Scanlan
My dirty self-portrait, 2003
Galerie Martin Janda
Raum aktueller Kunst
Eschenbachgasse 11
1010 Wien
+43/1/585 73 71
+43/1/585 73 72