King Kong
dal 2/10/2001 al 4/11/2001
Segnalato da
2/10/2001
King Kong
Chisenhale Gallery, London
King Kong is one of the best-known characters ever produced by the Hollywood cinema. Since his first appearance in the eponymous 1933 film, King Kong represents a cross-section of Western ideas of exoticism and monstrosity. Peter Friedl's film King Kong weaves together diverse histories and affinities. By embracing two specific versions of the King Kong theme, Friedl investigates divergent forms of cultural representation.
King Kong is one of the best-known characters ever produced by the
Hollywood cinema. Since his first appearance in the eponymous 1933 film,
King Kong represents a cross-section of Western ideas of exoticism and
monstrosity.
Peter Friedl's film King Kong weaves together diverse histories and
affinities. By embracing two specific versions of the King Kong theme,
Friedl investigates divergent forms of cultural representation. The first
reference in the work is the song 'King Kong', a laconic and fatalistic
retelling of the King Kong story, written and performed by US musician
Daniel Johnston. As a second reference, Friedl recalls an important and
controversial moment in South African cultural history, the 1959 jazz opera
'King Kong.' Based on the tragic life of the heavyweight boxing champ
Ezekiel 'King Kong' Dhlamini, the opera's story is located in Sophiatown -
then the 'Little Harlem' of Johannesburg.
Peter Friedl's film depicts Daniel Johnston performing, for the first time
in public, his 'King Kong' song at a public park in today's Sophiatown. The
suburb is now a white community, and has been re-named Triomf, the
Afrikaans word for Triumph.
Peter Friedl (born 1960) has exhibited throughout Europe and the USA. He
has participated in major exhibitions including documenta X, Kassel (1997);
48th Venice Biennial (1999); Children of Berlin, P.S.1, New York/ Museum
Folkwang, Essen (1999, 2000); Let's Entertain, Walker Art Center,
Minneapolis/ Kunstmuseum, Wolfsburg/ Miami Art Museum (2000-2001); Recent
solo shows: Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Los Angeles (1998);
Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels (1998); Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, Berlin
(1999); Galerie Nicolas Krupp, Basel (2001).
Based in Waller,Texas, Daniel Johnston (born 1961) has released numerous
albums and tapes since 1980, among them Hi, How Are You (1983), Yip/Jump
Music (1983), Retired Boxer (1984), Continued Story (1985), 1990 (1990),
Artistic Vice (1991), Fun (1994), Frankenstein's Love (1998), Rejected
Unknown (1999) and Why Me? (2000). He has repeatedly collaborated and
recorded with Jad Fair. His songs have been covered by Cathy McCarty, Yo La
Tengo, Half Japanese, Sonic Youth, fIREHOSE, and Pearl Jam. He has
contributed to the film soundtracks of Richard Linklater's Slacker, and to
Larry Clark's Kids.
KING KONG is realised with financial support from London Arts and is
sponsored by the Austrian Cultural Forum.
Gallery Open: Wed - Sun 1pm - 6pm
For further information please contact Stuart Croft at Chisenhale Gallery
CHISENHALE GALLERY
64 Chisenhale Road
London E3 5QZ UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8981 4518
Fax: +44 (0)20 8980 7169