Lafayette Anticipation associate curator Anna Colin talks to artist Tyler Coburn about Ergonomic Futures, a speculative project engaged with art, design, science, anthropology and writing. In this interview, Coburn discusses the research, production process and network of collaborators of a multilayered project ultimately concerned with the futures of humankind. Anna Colin: When one comes across your museum seats Ergonomic Futures (2016—) in contemporary art exhibitions—and soon in natural history, fine art, and anthropology museums—they look… [read more »]
Bill Jenkins | Light Therapy
Has the slow start to an overcast spring left the cobwebs of winter blues lingering? If so, visit Bill Jenkins’ second solo exhibition for a little light therapy.
Just opened at Laurel Gitlen, one of several galleries on Manhattan’s Lower East Side known for spotting artists with both institutional and commercial relevance, Jenkins’ repurposes traditional ‘white box’ resources, light, open space, and electricity, to create a perceptually unstable architecture. From the large storefront windows and artificial overhead systems, light is channeled from mirrored ducts through the gallery before being deposited into a luminescent pool that runs the length of the gallery. Don’t miss the back room’s translucent membrane that creates a haunting time-based monochrome that dimly illuminates several minimal Judd-esq wall works.
Technically it’s not going to work very well; however, Jenkins’ and Gitlen’s conceptual risk is a big win that has allowed the artist to seriously up his found-object game with Beachway Therapy Center. By taking on illusive elements and creating a proto-functional system of distribution and display, Jenkins’ practice is more contemporary, durable and expansive than ever.
Bill Jenkins
Wet Light
5.18.14 — 6.22.14
Laurel Gitlen
122 Norfolk Street
New York, NY 10002
