The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers
September 2, 2008 – August 29, 2009
California College of the Arts
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco CA 94107
T: 415.551.9210
Participating artists in order of appearance: Tauba Auerbach, Kris Martin, Dirk Stewen, Kirsten Pieroth, Colter Jacobsen, Jordan Wolfson, Kristen Morgin, Peter Coffin, Abraham Cruzvillegas, Claire Fontaine, Mario Garcia Torres, Aurélien Froment
Launched in September 2007, the exhibition Passengers aimed to overcome the often-restrictive programming schedule of a typical art institution by implementing a format that was constantly transforming and self-perpetuating. At the beginning of every month, one of the artists from the group portion of the show would move into the central “cube” space to present a solo show, and then at the end of the month he or she would leave the exhibition completely and a brand-new artist would enter the group show, thus constantly repopulating the display.
The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers, as we are now calling it in its second year, follows largely the same format but discontinues the monthly new addition, so that the show will eventually reach an endpoint—a solo presentation of the remaining single artist—in August 2009. Each month the gallery architecture will adapt, with the cube expanding as the group show contracts.
The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers will continue to present new work in sculpture, video, film, photography, collage, and drawing by emerging international artists who have not yet had a solo exhibition in an American public art institution. Inspired by the ways in which artists and curators, working in a globalized context, pass through places and become witnesses of our time, this exhibition functions as a vehicle by which artists travel to San Francisco from around the world. Many of them respond to the particular situation of the Wattis Institute and its audiences by creating new commissions and site-specific installations.
On the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., the Wattis Institute presents a “small talk,” or informal gallery conversation, with the new featured solo artist. This series engages artists directly in a dialogue that investigates their practices and presents viewpoints that expand the audience’s understanding of contemporary art.
FEATURED ARTISTS:
2.1 / TAUBA AUERBACH
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 (5 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: September 2–October 4, 2008
2.2 / KRIS MARTIN
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: October 7–November 1, 2008
2.3 / DIRK STEWEN
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: November 4–29, 2008
2.4 / KIRSTEN PIEROTH
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: December 2, 2008–January 3, 3009
2.5 / COLTER JACOBSEN
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: January 6–31, 2009
2.6 / JORDAN WOLFSON
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, February 3, 2009 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: February 3–28, 2009
2. 7 / KRISTEN MORGIN
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: March 3–April 4, 2009
2. 8 / PETER COFFIN
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: April 7–May 2, 2009
2. 9 / ABRAHAM CRUZVILLEGAS
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: May 5–30, 2009
2. 10 / CLAIRE FONTAINE
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: June 2–July 3, 2009
2. 11 / MARIO GARCIA TORRES
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: July 7–August 1, 2009
2.12 / AURÉLIEN FROMENT
Reception and artist talk: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 (7 p.m.)
Solo exhibition: August 4–29, 2009
About the CCA Wattis Institute
The Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts was established in 1998 in San Francisco at California College of the Arts. It serves as a forum for the presentation and discussion of international contemporary art and curatorial practice. Through groundbreaking exhibitions, the Capp Street Project residency program, lectures, symposia, and publications, the Wattis Institute has become one of the leading art institutions in the United States and an active site for contemporary culture in the Bay Area.
Founding support for CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts programs has been provided by Phyllis C. Wattis and Judy and Bill Timken. Generous support provided by the Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation, Grants for the Arts / San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, Ann Hatch and Paul Discoe, and the CCA Curator’s Forum.
CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts
Kent and Vicki Logan Galleries
California College of the Arts
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco CA 94107
T: 415.551.9210
www.wattis.org
