27/6/2006
Andrea Bowers
Redcat, Los Angeles
Nothing is Neutral. She explores recent histories of art and politics, amplifying questions of democracy and social engagement. Over the past 15 years, Bowers has explored individual expression within society at large, including sports and rock fans as well as political activists. Her work offers a uniquely feminist critique. On show the installation Letters to the Army of Three Displayed and a series of paper “monuments".
Nothing is Neutral
The work of Andrea Bowers explores recent histories of art and politics, amplifying questions of democracy and social engagement. Over the past fifteen years, Bowers has explored individual expression within society at large, including sports and rock fans as well as political activists. Her work offers a uniquely feminist critique, eliding dogma for dissent and exploding simple notions of radicality.
Bowers’ one-person exhibition at REDCAT features the Los Angeles premiere of her installation Letters to the Army of Three Displayed (2005) which includes a video in which actors read letters written to the Army of Three—three activist women who crusaded for legal abortions and women’s health rights from 1964 to 1973, ostensibly founding the pro-choice movement in the United States. By focusing on the pleas of everyday people, the work questions the notion of activism itself, and offers an elegant meditation on democracy.
The exhibition also features the U.S. premiere of Eulogies to One and Another (2006) a series of paper “monuments," to Marla Ruzicka and Faiz Ali Salim, two civilians who traveled through Afghanistan and Iraq since 2002 researching civilian deaths and founding the organization Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC) to secure compensation from the U.S. government for families affected by the ongoing conflict. In this series, Bowers documents their efforts through news media obituaries found on the internet as a way to examine the privilege of the powerful and the value placed on individual lives.
Nothing is Neutral is accompanied by a 160-page color catalogue with writings by Connie Butler, Chief Curator of Drawings, Museum of Modern Art, New York; Mary LeClere, Assistant Director, Core Program, The Glassell School of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and a conversation between the artist and REDCAT director and curator Eungie Joo. The publication will be available by 1 August 2006 at http://redcat.org/visit/publications.php
The exhibition and catalogue Nothing is Neutral: Andrea Bowers are made possible by the generous support of Charlotte and Bill Ford. Additional support provided by Eve Steele and Peter Gelles; Dallas Price Van-Breda; The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; Kate Ganz; R-23; Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects; Sara Meltzer Gallery; and Galerie Praz-Delavallade.
Related Programs
Wednesday, July 5, 8:30pm: Still Radical: Feminist Video from the 70s organized by Nancy Buchanan featuring a discussion with Eleanor Antin and Andrea Bowers
Sunday, August 20, 3pm: Necessary Positions: A Conversation about Feminist Art, Then and Now organized by Suzanne Lacy
Image: Andrea Bowers, Design of Choice (My Body My Choice with Stripes) (detail) 2005, colored pencil on paper 10 3/8 X 13 7/8 inches
Opening reception: Wednesday, 28 June, 6-9 pm
Gallery at REDCAT
631 West 2nd street Los Angeles CA 90012
Gallery hours: noon to 6 pm or curtain, closed Mondays
Admission to the gallery is always free