Wiebke Siem
Geoffrey Farmer
Martin Honert
Tim Lee
Hans-Peter Feldmann
Rodney Graham
Martin Creed
Roger Ballen
Anri Sala
Dan Graham
Katharina Fritsch
Candida Hofer
Stephan Balkenhol
Wilhelm Sasnal
Jeff Wall
Jens Hoffmann
Adapting the structure of a three-act chamber play to an exhibition of visual art, Conversation Pieces presents a diverse range of artists currently or previously represented by the gallery, engaging them and their artworks in a series of intimate and dynamic conversations. A performance of 3 acts, staged in a small space with a minimal cast and practically no stage set. Act I (until 6 February 2010) Scene 1: Tim Lee, Hans-Peter Feldmann / Scene 2: Rodney Graham, Martin Creed / Scene 3: Roger Ballen, Anri Sala. Curated by Jens Hoffmann.
Curated by Jens Hoffmann
Adapting the structure of a three-act chamber play to an exhibition of visual art,
Conversation Pieces presents a diverse range of artists currently or previously
represented by Johnen Galerie, engaging them and their artworks in a series of
intimate and dynamic conversations. While focusing on the theatrical aspects of the
works, the exhibition will also reflect on the display of contemporary art and its
relationship to the staged or dramatised. Each act is four weeks long and represents
one part of a larger, developing narrative. Intermissions will last one week. A
chamber play is a performance of three acts, staged in a small space with a minimal
cast and practically no stage set. It depicts the inner dramas of the
characters—their emotions, passions, and desires—and centres on non-political or
personal subjects such as historical fiction and domestic life.
The title of the exhibition, Conversation Pieces, traditionally refers to a
particular style of group portraiture popular in Britain in the 18th century. These
paintings—by artists such as William Hogarth and Joseph Highmore–typically show
members of a family, friends, members of a social group brought together in an
informally staged environment of conviviality. Conversation Pieces not only
considers the specific art-historical typology of the conversation piece, but also
the literal conversations among artists and artworks that an exhibition is intended
to generate. Among these relations or dynamics are the theatrics of the exhibition
space and the dialogues that arise there, the concept of the exhibition with its
specific selection and arrangement of artists and artworks, and ultimately its
broader understanding as a form of conversation piece.
The chamber play premise for Conversation Pieces in part arises from the gallery’s
proximity to one of Germany’s most important theatre, the Deutsches Theater.
Artefacts such as posters, program booklets and performance photographs of
historically important chamber plays performed at the Deutsches Theater since its
inauguration in 1883 will also be on view in the gallery. The exhibition is also a
response to the gallery architecture: an intimate, 19th century residential building
featuring a noble facade, generous salons, and large backyards that are
characterized by simplicity and functionality. The historical origins of the chamber
play coincide with the architectural style of the building, both reflecting a
growing focus at the time on domesticity and introspection.
Act I – Exposition (9 January – 6 February 2010)
Scene 1: Tim Lee, Hans-Peter Feldmann / Scene 2: Rodney Graham, Martin Creed / Scene
3: Roger Ballen, Anri Sala
Act II – Confrontation (13 February – 13 March 2010)
Scene 1: Thomas Ruff, Andrew Grassie / Szene 2: Roman Ondák, Wiebke Siem / Scene 3:
Geoffrey Farmer, Martin Honert
Act III – Climax (20 March – 17 April 2010)
Scene 1: Dan Graham, Katharina Fritsch / Scene 2: Candida Höfer, Stephan Balkenhol /
Scene 3: Wilhelm Sasnal, Jeff Wall
For further information and images, please contact:
David Ulrichs PR
office@davidulrichs.com +49 (0)176 5033 0135
Opening: 9 January 2010, 6 – 9 pm
Johnen Galerie
Marienstrasse 10 - 10117 Berlin
Tues – Sat: 11 am – 6 pm