9/1/2009
Kevin Buchholz
Secret Project Robot, New York
Exercises in Futility
Secret Project Robot is pleased to present Exercises in Futility a photo exhibition,
installation and experiment in live cinema conceptualized and arranged by Kevin
Buchholz. In this exhibition Kevin's work plays on the traditional/untraditional
role of photography in postmodernism and offers the viewer both an aesthetic treat
and an intellectual challenge... As usual it promises to be an amazing show, and
we hope you are able to make it by!
Exercises in Futility is a project consisting of 9 photographic sequences, 4 short
videos, and a short live piece to be performed at the opening with the remnants
left in place in the gallery space for the duration of the show.
The photographs are small (4.5x5.5in) individually framed gelatin silver prints
arranged in sequential fashion.
The videos are short (approximately 30 second) clips shown on small displays to
mimic the form of the prints in the show.
The performance will involve building a city out of playing cards for approximately
one hour and subsequently blowing the city down with a large piece of plywood which
will fall from the wall just after the city is finished.
The idea behind the exhibition and the work is to give a palatable example challenging
the notion that the act of seeing is an innocuous impulse. Taken from multiple
perspectives, including the photographer, the historian, and the viewer the active
participant will understand that seeing is anything but objective.
All of the photographs in this series are simple Exercises in Futility and yet without
prior knowledge of the photographer's intent or reference base, which will be hidden
until the viewer has traversed the room, the viewer will be forced to recognize
how much prior knowledge and judgment they bring to each image.
In these images, pulled from the everyday mundane, the trained mind will find reference
to art historical materials, photographers and theories, making the images an
intellectual
pun.
The photographer's eye will appreciate the quality of the prints, the accuracy of
timing the uniformity of color, size and lighting.
The viewer is free to determine the signification or reference for him or herself,
finding perhaps an unknown narrative to even the photographer
Opening Reception Saturday January 10th 8 to 10pm
with a special performance by Sharon VanEtten
Secret Project Robot
210 Kent Ave - New York