January 31–April 30, 2014
Opening Reception: January 31
Hours: 7–10pm
FAHRENHEIT
2245 E Washington Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90021
www.fahrenheit.flaxfoundation.org
Laure Prouvost, David Douard, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Alicja Kwade, Tamara Henderson,
David Gilbert, Vincent Ganivet
Far and High is the inaugural group exhibition at FAHRENHEIT—an interrelated residency program and space dedicated to exhibitions, performances, film programs and talks, initiated by FLAX (France Los Angeles Exchange) and developed by director and curator Martha Kirszenbaum.
The exhibition Far and High inscribes FAHRENHEIT into the visual culture of Los Angeles, the post-industrial environment of Downtown and its multifaceted methods of production. It further acts as a teaser for the residency program that aims to provide a platform for French-related emerging artists, curators and critics, confronting them with the local and international art scene. Seven artists from Europe and North America have been invited to contribute to the project in a variety of media including sculpture, installation, film, photography and print.
Some artists in the exhibition interpret and reshape industrial material, raw matter, and convenience objects into a contemporary language and distorted world of representation. David Douard‘s installations composed of tweaked everyday objects, obsessive soundtracks and disturbing videos are inspired by mechanisms of organic transformation and biological mutation, evoking the propagation of corporal fluids, such as saliva or milk, as well as physical and technological contamination. His sculptures evoke swollen and crackled objects, grotesque matter lying at the border of a hybrid popular culture, referencing zombie movies, urban poetry and video games. Commonly employing base materials such as steel, glass or metal in her practice, Alicja Kwade deploys an elaborate modus operandi, in which she transforms objects into sculptures that extend time and space and present themselves as solid, heavy objects created through industrial processes or with everyday items such as clocks and lamps. Fascinated by architectural principles and unprocessed material, Vincent Ganivet a lexical field balanced between construction and destruction. His arches and wheels challenge laws of gravity as they rely on the mathematical principle of catenary and echo industrial production in his use of concrete cinder blocks.
Others convey notions of desire, oneirism and a fantasized depiction of nature. In her immersive films, Laure Prouvost challenges the relationship between language and understanding through complex stories and surreal moments with an unusual approach to cinematic conventions and imagery. Tamara Henderson‘s films and sculptures evoke desirable objects, and her practice is based on notes about objects and their representation in dreams or as imagined under hypnosis, hinting at the Surrealists’ artistic motto. Furthermore, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, one of the most influential artists of his generation, produced works of uncompromising beauty and simplicity that transform the everyday into profound meditations on love and loss. Subverting the legacy of Minimalist sculpture, his elegant pieces are imbued with poetic intimacy.
At last, inspired by the atmosphere and creative process of his own studio, David Gilbert uses the studio background to construct a domestic set of paintings, tools, fabric, pieces of wood and junk for his still-life photographs that reveal a striking attention to both composition and color. His large-scale pictures provide every single element with a statuesque aura, while a fierce L.A. spirit emerges through their purple and orange hues.
About FLAX
FLAX (France Los Angeles Exchange) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity based in Los Angeles. Founded in 2006, FLAX works to facilitate cultural exchange between Los Angeles and France through public and cultural events in Southern California. Recognizing and reinforcing the crucial links between these two cultural epicenters, FLAX works closely with local organizations, pooling private and corporate resources to foster cultural dialogue between French and American people in the United States. With its independent structure, FLAX operates with autonomy and transparency. Operating costs have been reduced to a minimum in order to turn the maximum of donations into efficient programs.
About FAHRENHEIT
FAHRENHEIT by FLAX is a non-profit initiative dedicated to research and creation in the field of contemporary art. Conceived by the Flax Foundation and developed by director and curator Martha Kirszenbaum, it is an interrelated residency program and a space dedicated to exhibitions, performances, film programs and talks. It supports the exchange and integration of France-related artists, curators and critics with a particular emphasis on outreach programs in communities within greater Los Angeles.
Fahrenheit is located at 2245 E Washington Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90021. www.fahrenheit.flaxfoundation.org
Contact:
Justin Gilanyi
[email protected]
