I am proud and excited to announce the opening of the united states exhibition series at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, on July 15, 2012 from 2-5pm.
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is pleased to present united states, a series of solo exhibitions and artist’s projects that approach both the nature of the United States as a country and “united states” as the alliance of separate forms, entities, or conditions of being.
united states includes solo exhibitions by Pedro Barbeito, Jonathan Brand, Brody Condon, Brad Kahlhamer, Brian Knep, Erik Parker, and Hank Willis Thomas, as well as singular projects by Jane Benson, Alison Crocetta, Celeste Fichter, Erika Harrsch, Nina Katchadourian, Matthew Northridge, Risa Puno, John Stoney, Sui Jianguo, Frances Trombly, Rosemary Williams, and Jenny Yurshansky.
Timed to coincide with the 2012 American election season, these works, diverse in medium and topic, are presented at a time when political and social divisions in the United States are readily apparent, and polarization on many major issues is at an historical high.
While no one series of exhibitions can comprehensively summarize the complexity of the meanings inherent in the concept of “united states,” this presentation echoes the universal hope that disparate entities united to form a whole are greater, and more profound, than the simple sum of their parts.
united states is the fourth implementation of a new curatorial programming schedule that presents seasons of solo and group exhibitions, all linked by a common theme.
I genuinely feel that the piece I am showing, Good Faith & Fair Dealing, is perfect for the exhibition theme, because it was inspired by the relationships we form (political, personal, or otherwise) and how we navigate the state of being united. It is truly my honor to be exhibiting at this prestigious institution, alongside such talented artists.
The opening on July 15 will feature an all-American cookout prepared by The Ginger Man, featuring a selection of popular domestic micro-brews and craft cans. The Education Department will host family-friendly hands-on art projects and activities starting at 2 pm. A performance work by Jane Benson, The Splits: Red/Blue, will take place at 3:30 pm. Erik Parker will sign copies of the recently released monograph ERIK PARKER: Colorful Resistance beginning at 4:15 pm.
For the day of the opening, the museum has arranged a $15 round-trip shuttle from NYC to The Aldrich. It departs from MoMA P.S.1 museum in Long Island City (a short subway ride from Manhattan) at 1pm, then leaves The Aldrich at 4:30pm to return to NYC. The price of the shuttle ticket includes museum admission, programs, and activities. For more information, or to reserve your spot, contact Priscilla Matthews: Pmatthews@aldrichart.org or 203-438-4519.
For more information about the opening, please visit: http://www.aldrichart.org/events/?id=1453