SITElines.2016: much wider than a line

SITE Santa Fe is pleased to announce the new works and commissions and opening weekend programming for SITElines.2016: much wider than a line, the second edition of SITE Santa Fe’s new biennial series with a focus on contemporary art from the Americas. SITElines.2016 will open July 16, 2016 and will be on view through January 8, 2017. Ticketed preview events will be held on July 13–15.

The oldest international contemporary art biennial in the United States, SITE has consistently been at the forefront of contemporary art since opening in 1995. In 2014 SITElines was introduced, a re-imagining of the traditional biennial format which prioritizes collaborative curatorial practice and thematic links as well as a dedication to community and commitment to promoting under-recognized points of view.

much wider than a line is based around three themes that serve as points of connection. These themes include: Vernacular Strategies—the importance of design, architecture and craft; Indigenous Understandings—the influence of performance, ritual, and other Indigenous traditions; and Shared Territories—the connectivity and affinities shared in the Americas.

SITElines.2016: much wider that a line features 11 new commissions
A selection of these new works include:

Jonathas de Andrade (b. Maceió, Brazil; lives in Recife, Brazil) will present A Study of Race and Class: Bahia >< Santa Fe, a project inspired by the homonymous 1952 study conducted by Columbia University in which participants were shown photographs of individuals from different racial backgrounds and asked to rate their physical and moral attributes. De Andrade draws from the original study as he works with his subjects to create dialogues around contemporary race relations.

William Cordova (b. Lima, Peru; lives in Lima/Miami/New York) will present yawar mallku: sculpting in time a large-scale installation that exists at the intersection of architecture, politics, and social concerns. Consisting of interrelated parts, including a wooden scaffolding that alludes to Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs that inspired Pottery House in Santa Fe and clay spheres made from materials sourced from historic locations in Santa Fe, Chicago, and Mexico, Cordova’s installation creates a harmonic balance between the man-made and natural worlds.

Santa Fe-based architect Conrad Skinner’s contribution to the exhibition includes an installation that pays homage to the architecture, history, and impact of the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater and the Indian Theater movement at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Featured in this installation will be a selection of Soleri’s drawings for his theater design, images of the remarkable construction techniques used to build the theater, and documents that tell the story of this influential structure. A special feature of this installation is a model of the Amphitheater sculpted in wood and clay by New Mexico-based artist—and a participant in SITE’s 7th International Biennial (2008)—Eliza Naranjo Morse.

The exhibition includes 35 artists from 16 countries. You can find a comprehensive list of the artists here.

SITElines.2016: much wider than line opening weekend program

Thursday, July 14
5:30–7:30pm
“First Look” party and exhibition preview

7:30pm
Celebration dinner

Friday, July 15
5:30–8pm
Members opening party (SITE Members and all ticket holders are invited to attend)

Saturday, July 16
10am–5pm
Public opening of much wider than a line

11am–12:30pm
Artist/curator panel part 1

1:30–3pm
Artist/curator panel part 2

*Panel participants will include: Jeffrey Gibson in conversation with Kathleen Ash-Milby, Marta Minujin in conversation with Pablo León de la Barra, Juana Valdes in conversation with Rocío Aranda-Alvarado, Raven Chacon in conversation with Pip Day, and Jonathas de Andrade in conversation with Kiki Mazzucchelli, among others.

Opening events ticket packages are available. Please visit the website here or call T 505 989 1199 to purchase tickets.

We are grateful for the support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Canada Council for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the the Arts.

Media contacts:
Elisabeth Meddin / Kat Mills
Blue Medium, Inc.
T +1 (212) 675 1800 / elisabeth@bluemedium.com / kat@bluemedium.com

Anne Wrinkle, Director of External Affairs
SITE Santa Fe
T +1 (505) 989 1199 x22 / wrinkle@sitesantafe.org