Elisabeth Subrin at ICA 50
The Form Review is a simple attempt to increase dialogue within art journalism and highlight the subjectivity of a traditional exhibition review. Artists/curators/responsible parties of an exhibition are invited to respond to five short prompts. In turn, a representative of the St.Claire views the exhibition and independently responds to the same five prompts. Both sets of “form answers” are published in tandem on the St.Claire website. To participate drop us a line at hark@the-st-claire.com
(IMAGE: Installation view “Elisabeth Subrin: Damage Report”. Image courtesy of Elisabeth Subrin)
Responses by Elisabeth Subrin, Artist
1. What is hidden in this exhibition? What is in plain sight?
What is hidden is presence, and what is in plain site is absence. Or, in other words, what is repressed is the work of the late photographer Francesca Woodman. What is exposed is an evocation of her subjectivity, interpreted through fragmentary texts pulled from the damage reports recorded at the time of her posthumous 1989 exhibition at the ICA.
2. Who would be this exhibition’s parents? What might it’s children look like?
The parents might be Christian Boltanski and Julia Kristeva. Its children might be young woman artists who don’t inherit the history of silence. Or kids with crayons embellishing the damage.
3. Describe one moment in this exhibition.
When a viewer’s presence caused a slight wavering in the shadows cast from the words “No change” etched on one of the pedestals.
4. This exhibition answers/asks the following question:
What is damage? How does one interpret, analyze or translate damage? Does art lose its intention (or value) when it’s damaged? Does a woman gain or lose intention (or value) when damage—internal or external—is exposed?
5. You should message this exhibition if…
you think it’s hot.
Responses by Stacey Holder & Olivia Menta, Editors
1. What is hidden in this exhibition? What is in plain sight?
Plain Sight: absence, presence, solitude
Hidden: the future
2. Who would be this exhibition’s parents? What might it’s children look like?
Mother: The Natural Science Museum
Transient Boyfriend: Ad Reinhardt
Children: GIFS
3. Describe one moment in this exhibition.
Everything is experienced.
4. This exhibition answers/asks the following question:
Asks:
1. Why don’t they blow fans through dioramas to make them more realistic in museums?
2. Seeking while walking instead of sprinting.
Answers:
The youth have all the answers.
5. You should message this exhibition if…
You might respond to the following :
YOU-
Experienced shit talker
Periodically break into argument
Have unwavering conviction
Have a good friend who is equally successful at:
Encouraging reconsideration
Proficent Persuasion and Timing
Demanding you read the wall text
Together, a willingness to facilitate both roles, eternally.
…
Elisabeth Subrin “Damage Control”
www.elisabethsubrin.com/
ON VIEW:
May 14 – June 1, 2014
Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia
3118 S. 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3289
icaphila.org