Bootleg identity

Caren Golden, New York

An exhibition of the work of twelve artists who each address issues of identity not as a transcendental meditation on the id, ego, or animus, but in the more tangible forms as revealed in our belongings, our associations and our guilty pleasures.

comunicato stampa

Curated by Caren Golden & Rebekah Merrill

Ray Beldner, Jo Broughton, William Cordova, Eric Doeringer, Richard Dupont, Luis Gispert, Ryan Humphrey, John Kalymnios, Laura London, Jessica Craig-Martin, Danica Phelps, Suen Wong

Image:
Luis Gispert Untitled, 2002 C-Print 30" x 40" Edition of 6
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Caren Golden Fine Art is pleased to present Bootleg Identity, an exhibition of the work of twelve artists who each address issues of identity -- not as a transcendental meditation on the id, ego, or animus, but in the more tangible forms as revealed in our belongings, our associations and our guilty pleasures. Objects connote a greater meaning than the particular purpose for which they were intended. Even quasi staples of life like water and breath mints come prepackaged with cultures all their own.

An advantage of prepackaged identities and their interchangeability is the freedom to play more than one role. Laura London's young model transforms herself with each change of attire. John Kalymnios's fracturing mirror and split personality self-portrait and Richard Dupont's fragmented photo collages, splinter the corporeal into numerous competing identities. Large and small, Suen Wong's pugilistic alter egos battle each other in literal and figurative combat, while Jo Broughton's "My Ex-Boyfriend's Girlfriends" lounge Odalisque-like in a continuum of mutable relationships.

Addressing consumerism through the incremental accounting of every purchase made during a one month period, Danica Phelps offers a view of herself solely upon the basis of consumption. Jessica Craig-Martin documents the lifestyle of the rich and famous with wit and irony, while in a Baroque display of wealth, Luis Gispert's photograph juxtaposes the suburban cheerleader with Ghetto Glamour. Ryan Humphrey's work exposes the seductive nature of the rock n' roll lifestyle, creating iconic imagery relating to veteran rockers Van Halen. For William Cordova, the signifiers of a rock n' roll life are more ambiguous. Though steeped in rock culture, the seemingly random nature of the images in his drawings leave associations open ended.

Unabashedly dealing with the commercialization of the contemporary art world, Ray Beldner creates works of art from the most sacred of materials, the United States greenback. Eric Doeringer usurps the idea of the artist as cultural star by mass producing and merchandising miniature versions of classic artworks by young art icons.

Living in a culture of mass consumption, fueled by fantasy and displaced desires, it is easy to be lulled into complacency, doped by the sheer strength of ones own buying power. But with the vast quantity of available goods the options to differentiate oneself via material wealth and fantasy will always be endless, shameless, and narcissistic.

Opening Reception: Friday, June 14, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Summer Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 11 AM - 6 PM

For additional information please contact Rebekah Merrill at 212-727-8304

Caren Golden
526 W 26TH Street
Suite #215
New York NY 10001
212 727 8304
fax 212 727 8360

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IN ARCHIVIO [4]

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dal 4/12/2003 al 10/1/2004