Ray Johnson
dal 24/5/2004 al 10/7/2004
Segnalato da
24/5/2004
Ray Johnson
Gimpel Fils, London
He is considered one of the seminal figures of Pop Art and the founding father of Mail Art. Johnson was enchanted by the idea of growth and flux in art, and how his work could change in emphasis and aesthetic character in the hands of his friends. The exhibition will include works from the Johnson estate previously unseen in Europe, including a group of Bunny Head multiples, and a selection of conceptual collages made shortly before his death in 1995.
How to Draw a Bunny
Gimpel Fils is pleased to announce an exhibition of works by Ray Johnson,
presented in conjunction with the London premiere of the feature length
film on Johnson, How to Draw a Bunny at the Camden Arts Centre.
Considered to be one of the seminal figures of Pop Art and the founding
father of Mail Art, Johnson's collages, constructions, drawings and mail
art are markers of an artistic genius. Johnson sparked ideas, initiated
experiments, and invariably lead where other artists would eventually
follow.
Ray Johnson used images from popular culture: James Dean, Lucky Strike and
Elvis. His multi-layered collages and text works from the early 1950s
pre-date much that we consider Pop Art. Layering and pasting, gluing and
cutting, drawing and painting, he immersed himself in the allure of fame,
making works such as Shirley Temple I (1967), and Peter Fonda with Dollar
Bill (1973-90).
As founder of the "New York Correspondance School", he established the
postal service as an artistic medium. To enroll in the school, all one
had to do was respond to his images that had been sent through the post.
He encouraged his recipients to add to his collages, and forward them to
other people on his selected mailing lists. Johnson was enchanted by the
idea of growth and flux in art, and how his work could change in emphasis
and aesthetic character in the hands of his friends.
The exhibition will include works from the Johnson estate previously
unseen in Europe, including a group of Bunny Head multiples, and a
selection of conceptual collages made shortly before his death in 1995.
Recalling his moticos of 1955, these late collages were photographed by
Johnson in unusual outdoor settings; leaning against fences or car doors,
they created unusual artistic interventions into everyday life.
The documentary film How to Draw a Bunny by John Walter and Andrew Moore
will premiere at the Camden Arts Centre on Wednesday 30 June, 6.30-8.30,
and will be followed with a discussion between Clive Phillpot and Angela
Flowers, both of whom knew Johnson. Inspired by the visual composition of
Johnson's collages, the film itself is an ensemble of artworks, letters,
and home movies. It also includes interviews with Roy Lichtenstein,
Christo, Chuck Close, and James Rosenquist, giving unprecedented insight
into the world of American Pop.
private view: Tuesday 25 May, 6-8pm
gallery hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm & Sat 11am-4pm
For further details please contact Cece Faville tel: +44(0)20 7493 2488
fax: +44(0)20 7629 5732
Gimpel Fils, 30 Davies Street, London, W1K 4NB