The Eye of the Collector
Video works from the Collection Manuel de Santaren.
Maria José Arjona, Niklas Goldbach, Jesse Aron Green, William Lamson, McCallum and Tarry, Hans Op de Beeck, Chrischa Venus Oswald, Luigi Presicce, Isabel Rocamora, Janaina Tschäpe
29 Jan – 5 Feb 2012
Curated by Julia Draganović and Claudia Löffelholz
LaRete Art Projects for Arte Fiera Art First
Opening:
Saturday, 28 January 2012, 6–12pm
MAMbo – Villa delle Rose
Via Saragozza 228-230
40135 Bologna, Italy
Sunday, 29 Jan 2012, 10am–6pm
30 Jan – 5 Feb 2012, 12am–7pm
The striking power of the visual doesn’t need to be explained—the videos in Manuel de Santaren’s collection are evidence of this. They are proof that bodies and images in movement are the essential elements of an effective language for this medium—it doesn’t need much more. But the most difficult thing to achieve is simplicity. The small selection of videos chosen for the Eye of the Collector will present a variety of ways in which speechless moving images are able to generate amusement or admiration, emotion, tenderness or rejection, confusion or enlightenment.
The show at MAMbo – Villa delle Rose in Bologna presents eleven video installations that are based on performances produced not for a live audience but for the eye of a camera. With the exception of McCallum and Tarry and Isabel Rocamora the camera’s fixed position prevails, simulating the standpoint of a non-involved viewer who keeps a constant distance from the events. The body, its relation to its environment and the physical interaction with others are at the center of every video: from the tableaux vivant by Niklas Goldbach, William Lamson or Luigi Presicce, the performances by Maria José Arjona and Jesse Aron Green which refer to minimal and conceptual art, body art related pieces like “HAUTNA—T” by Chrischa Venus Oswald, videos related to dance choreography like the once by McCallum and Tarry, Janaina Tschäpe or Isabel Rocamora to the strange living sculptures in Hans Op de Beeck’s “The Stewarts have a Party”.
Manuel de Santaren is a Boston and Washington DC based collector whose main focus is New Media/Video based works. His extensive collection comprises works, which focus primarily on performance, appropriation of mass media imagery, and animation. Mr. de Santaren is the Co-Chair of the Photography Committee of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York where he has championed the acquisition and inclusion of video works for the permanent collection. He is also on the Board of Overseers of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and an active participant in the Visiting Committee / Contemporary Art where he offers his knowledge and passion for time based works. Furthermore, he is member of the Executive Board of The Cisneros Fontanals Foundation based in Miami, Florida.
In collaboration with Arte Fiera Art First 2012
Project coordination: Federica Patti
Organization: Antonella Morrone
The show will be accompanied by a publication with texts by Manuel de Santaren, Julia Draganović, Elena Forin, Claudia Löffelholz and Federica Patti
Information: info@larete-artprojects.net
PR/Press Office: maddalena.bonicelli@gmail.com / Santa Nastro snastro [at] gmail.com
*Image above:
Courtesy Manuel de Santaren.
