Atelier Van Lieshout
The Heads
Art Positions, Art Basel Miami Beach 2005
December 1-December 4, 2005
Opening Night November 30, 2005 6-10pm
Atelier van Lieshout is a multidisciplinary artist’s collective that operates internationally in the fields of contemporary art, design and architecture. Led by Joep Van Lieshout, AVL explores systems, functions, social order and power structures, often through a focus on basic human needs and the operating mechanisms of the body itself.
The Heads, a major public outdoor project designed by AVL especially for Art Basel Miami Beach 2005 is a pair of two large interactive outdoor “recreational” sculptures that continue to examine these themes. The sculptures, a male head, “Herman”, and a female head, “Claudia”, are modeled from fiberglass and will be placed on the beach at the entrance to the Art Positions area of the fair. When installed, “Herman” and “Claudia” will be large enough for the public to move in and around; by day one will function as an information kiosk for fair visitors, while the other serves refreshments. By night the information kiosk will become a DJ booth operated by WPS1 Art Radio and the sculpture serving refreshments will be converted into a bar. By dispensing information and providing refreshment for fair participants, The Heads become an integral part of Art Basel Miami Beach’s infrastructure, creating an area to socialize, relax and enjoy the fair.
Crossing the boundary between the beautiful and the useful these sculptures continue AVL’s well-known production of works that exist as both fine art and utilitarian structures. With the sale of refreshments and drinks, The Heads represent the incorporation of commerce in art, a guiding principle for AVL as they explore consumer society.
This project has been generously funded by The Consulates General of The Netherlands in Miami and New York, as well as The Mondriaan Foundation.
Represented by Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in New York, Galerie Bob Van Orsouw in Zurich, and Galerie Krinzinger in Vienna, Atelier Van Lieshout’s recent shows include: Yokohama Triennial, Yokohama, Japan, 2005; “The Disciplinator”, Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna, Austria, 2005; “Nederland niet Nederland”, Van Abbe Museum, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 2005; “Happy Forest”, Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, The Netherlands, 2005; “Der Technokrat”, Sprengel Museum, Hannover, Germany, 2004; “In or Out”, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea, 2003; Utopia Station, 50th Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy, 2003; “The Technocrat”, Centre d’art contemporain de Bretigny, France, 2003; Camden Arts Center, London, UK, 2002; 25th Bienal de São Paulo, Brazil, 2002; Biennial of Sydney, Australia, 2002.
If you require any further information or images please do not hesitate to contact Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, located in Hall A, Booth B10; Galerie Bob Van Orsouw, located in Hall A, Booth C10; or Galerie Krinzinger located in Hall A, Booth B16.
