Graham Hudson
Rehearsal at the Astoria
February 3 – April 10, 2011
Arthouse at the Jones Center
700 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
512-453-5312
www.arthousetexas.org
Rehearsal at the Astoria features an enormous installation created especially for Arthouse’s main 3,200 square foot gallery, the form of which references London’s iconic Astoria Theatre, which was demolished in 2009. The architectural history of the Astoria parallels that of Arthouse’s building, both former cinemas. First opened in 1929, the Astoria underwent many iterations before becoming one of the most highly-desired music venues in London. With his project, Hudson brings the Astoria back to life by reconstructing a portion of it in ghost-like scaffolding, and offering up its stage to musicians to use as a free rehearsal space during its ten-week reincarnation.
Continuously animated by musicians, Hudson’s installation is a living, breathing sculpture. The caveat, however, is the stage only be used for rehearsals, not formal concerts or performances, all of which are open to the public. For Hudson, the rehearsal is infinitely more interesting than the finished performance. He says, “It is music with the wires hanging out, fragile and with chance, more open. It’s risky and of course should not be on display. That’s something I try and do with my work, put the ‘making of’ on display.” Hudson’s goal is to reveal how all artistic disciplines—from sculpture to music—share a common creative process characterized by experimentation, failure, and practice.
Austin, celebrated for its live music scene, has no shortage of bands and musicians seeking rehearsal space. Bands and musicians of all genres and styles have been invited to participate through an open call, ensuring a diversity of musical expression. The timing of the exhibition is especially significant as it will coincide with Austin’s annual SXSW International Music Festival which draws tens of thousands of visitors to the city from across the globe.
About Graham Hudson
Graham Hudson was born in 1977 in Sussex, UK and currently lives and works in London. He received his BA from the Chelsea College of Art and Design, his MA from the Royal College of Art, and he is a recipient of a Henry Moore fellowship. Hudson has had numerous solo exhibitions including ZINGERpresents, Amsterdam (2009, 2006); Monitor, Rome (2009, 2007); Jan Cunen Museum, Oss, Netherlands (2008); Locust Projects, Miami (2008); Raid Projects, Los Angeles (2007); and Rokeby, London (2007, 2005). Hudson’s work has also appeared in many group exhibitions, including Newspeak: British Art Now Part II, Saatchi Gallery, London (2010); Hotel Beethoven, Moving Locations, Bonn, Germany (2009); Ctrl Alt Shift, Baltic, Gateshead/Newcastle, UK (2009); Material Presence, 176/Zabludowicz Collection, London (2008) and From a distance, Wallspace, New York. In 2010, Hudson was one of four winners of Design Miami/Basel W Hotel’s Designers of the Future Award. Winners of the award receive a commission and have their work, which must unify a variety of fields including art, sociology, science and technology, showcased at W Hotels.
Also on view:
Lisa Tan: Two Birds, Eighty Mountains, and A Portrait of the Artist, first floor gallery
Jan 15-Mar 27
Michelle Handelman: Dorian, a cinematic perfume, Film and Video Gallery
Jan 29-Mar 27
Nathan Baker: Let it Shine, SCREEN Projects
Jan 4-Feb 6
Sofía Cordóva: Fiebre Tropical, LIFT Projects
Dec 8-Feb 6
SUPPORT
Arthouse Season Sponsors: Austin Ventures, Four Hands Home, Guerilla Suit, Intercontinental Hotel – Stephen F. Austin, and Jones Villalta Asset Management
Arthouse at the Jones Center is supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art. Additional support provided by individuals, corporations, foundations and Arthouse members.
ABOUT ARTHOUSE
Arthouse creates meaningful opportunities to investigate and experience the art of our time through exhibitions, programs and commissions of new work. Admission to Arthouse is free and open to the public.