24 Hour Exhibition: Representation and its Discontents
Representation means a portrayal of the visible world, or to speak on behalf of someone else. In recent years, many artists have developed projects that critically assess the problems and politics of representation, attending to one or both of these definitions. In other words, these artists are not only concerned with the image, they also address (for example) the errors of historical depiction, the vicissitudes of gender bias, and the way that political representation ignores as many voices as it champions. These artistic inquiries sometimes overlap with the methods and histories of psychotherapy which offers analytical tools designed to parse the complex relationship between fantasy and reality, or altruism and self-interest. These tools and other tropes from psychotherapy are employed self-reflexively by artists, who have become some of the most important commentators about the role artists play in producing the cultural imaginary. This commentary is often one of deep criticism and discontent , pointing to power dynamics and persistent social dilemmas that are inherent but too often suppressed during the production of culture. This 24 hour exhibition, Representation and its Discontents , which reworks the (english translation) title of Freud’s famous essay, presents only a handful of works that hint at this larger tendency in artistic practice. With major projects by John Menick, Pedro Reyes, Althea Thauberger, and a special selection of inkblot drawings by Bruce Conner, courtesy of The Conner Family Trust and Galley Paule Anglim. Reception 5pm-9pm. 6pm-7pm, artist and Chez Panisse chef Jerome Waag will serve “Clams a la Hiquily” 7pm Artist John Menick (New York) in conversation with anthropologist Christopher Fraga about Menick’s work Starring Sigmund Freud, 2012, originally presented as part of Documenta 13. Based on an essay John Menick published in Frieze in 2011, the video collects the dozens of appearances that the character of Sigmund Freud has made on small and big screens. The 24-hour Exhibition combines the live screenings, performances and conversation events Kadist has become known for with artworks installed in multiple spaces remaining on view for an extended period. The exhibition is open for a nonconsecutive twenty-four hours. Here’s how it breaks down: after the 4 hour-long Wednesday opening event, the work will remain on view for the 2 following weekends, (Gallery hours: Sat & Sun 12-5, or 10 hours per weekend). The result is an exhibition open for a cumulative 24 hours, spread across a Wednesday and two weekends.