Lene Berg
dal 28/10/2008 al 5/12/2008
Segnalato da
28/10/2008
Lene Berg
The Cooper Union, New York
Stalin by Picasso or Portrait of Woman with Moustache, an exhibition exploring politics and art. Primarily comprised of works related to two projects reflecting on artistic and cultural production during the Cold War era, the exhibition provokes discussion on the relationship between art and politics, in recent history and in the contemporary moment.
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art School of Art is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Lene Berg titled Stalin by Picasso or Portrait of Woman with Moustache. Primarily comprised of works related to two projects reflecting on artistic and cultural production during the Cold War era, Berg's exhibition provokes discussion on the relationship between art and politics, in recent history and in the contemporary moment.
Stalin by Picasso or Portrait of Woman with Moustache is also the title of the most prominent work in the exhibition: a series of banners that will flank the south facade of Cooper Union's Foundation Building at Third Avenue and East 7th Street (dimensions: 40'W x 52'H and weighing 75 lbs). The banners reference Pablo Picasso's 1953 portrait of Joseph Stalin commissioned by Louis Aragon, editor of the Parisian newspaper Les Lettres Francaises. Like Picasso, Aragon was a member of the French Communist Party and wished to memorialize Stalin's death on the front page the newspaper. The large-scale banner of Picasso's portrait of Stalin re-introduces an image that, in its original release, wreaked political havoc in the Communist Party, the art world, and the press. Berg's consideration of the portrait poses questions about political portraiture, how contemporary art relates to real world politics, and the power of representation.
In the Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Gallery on the second floor of Cooper Union's Foundation Building, are two continuously screening video installations accompanied by related publications. Berg provides a detailed account of the personal, political, artistic, and media implications of Picasso's simple drawing of Stalin in the video Stalin by Picasso or Portrait of Woman with Moustache. Opposite the projection of Stalin by Picasso is The Man in the Background in which Berg presents historic footage about art and propaganda during the Cold War, specifically the publication of the cultural journal 'Encounter' that was founded in 1953 as one of the undertakings of the Congress of Cultural Freedom (1950-1967), an anti-Communist advocacy group initiated by the CIA.
A panel discussion is being organized for late November in which the artist will discuss her intentions in highlighting Picasso's historic portrait of Stalin, the role of the media in Picasso's expulsion from the Communist party, and the power of Stalin's image today.
This exhibition has been made possible with public funds generously provided by the Office for Contemporary Art Norway. Additional support is provided by Laarsen+Pilgaard.
Banner Installation Event: Sunday, October 26, 2008, 11 a.m.-Noon
Exhibition Opening: Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Gallery, Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 6-9 p.m.
The Cooper Union
Foundation Building, 7 East 7th Street - New York
Exhibition hours: 10/29-12/6, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday