15/1/2009
Doron Golan and Michael Szpakowski
HTTP, London
Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent. The exhibition takes its title from Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by the philosopher of language Ludwig Wittgenstein. It explores a collaboration between two artists across geographical distance through the ineffable language of image.
Collaboration is working together. Can two people work together without ever having met?
Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent, at HTTP Gallery demonstrates that they can. The exhibition takes its title from Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by the philosopher of language Ludwig Wittgenstein. It explores a collaboration between two artists across geographical distance through the ineffable language of image. Israeli video artist and filmmaker Doron Golan and British artist, composer and educator Michael Szpakowski both make digital films, which they share through websites and email lists, exploring the mystery of everyday life and of being a human in this place and time. Over the years, the two artists have developed a dialogue and friendship through the exchange of their work. Since 2005 they have collaborated to found and curate DVblog.org, a groundbreaking early platform for art films on the Internet. And yet they've never met face to face.
HTTP Gallery in North London is pleased to host the first meeting between Golan and Szpakowski and their art, in real space. Making their online collaborative process physical, the central installation has three elements: a new silent film by each of the artists with a new musical composition by Szpakowski. Bearing their shared sympathies in mind, the artists have independently determined the length and subjects of their films. As a result, the correspondences and resonances between the works are as yet unknown, and will change constantly. The collaborative installation will be accompanied by elements of their independent practices, including a new installation by Szpakowski utilising video and silver birch branches and a selection of Golan's recent videos, engaging with elements of life in the Middle East and his native Israel, to which he has returned after many years in New York City.
Private View 7-9pm Fri 16th January
HTTP
71 Ashfield Rd; Unit A2, Arena Business Centre - London
Open Fri-Sun 12noon-5pm
Free admission