LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
NEW WORK BY GERHARDT KNODEL
SEPTEMBER 12 - OCTOBER 18, 2015
American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION: In Gerhardt Knodel’s latest work, gaming-based
strategies provide both a visual and conceptual point of entry. Like game playing, involvement often yields unexpected consequences. Approached as pure
entertainment, games can evolve into unexpected experiences with both a lighter and a darker side, subtle shifts in expectation relative to outcome. Likewise
with art.
His work poses questions about art and life in the 21st century. Can the act and
associations of playing a game be visually communicated? Can the rush of excitement that comes with winning be found in objects that are physically quiet
and experienced at a distance? Can the frustration of playing games that cannot be won become a link in understanding the goals of art in which there are no
right or wrong answers?
SEPTEMBER 12TH
5-6 P.M.
GALLERY TALK:
Join the artist for a tour and
discussion of his new work
6-9 P.M.
ARTIST’S RECEPTION:
Free and open to the public. Light
refreshments served
His work centers on four groups of work
- conceptual games with historic textiles; visual games; dexterity games; and
gaming with ideas about art. Each of the
groups leads the viewer to art experiences
inspired by thoughts about competition,
accumulation and loss, human relationships, mind manipulation, the endless
repetition of the patterns of life, and the
tension between informed authority and
self-discovered knowledge. Knodel intends the work to provoke consideration of
links to the world of textiles in unexpected
and provocative ways.
"What If Textiles: The Art of Gerhardt Knodel," a 240 page comprehensive survey including work in the exhibition, will be available at the museum from September 12 or Schiffer
Publications, Ltd.
From the top: Gerhardt Knodel, (Detail of) It Had To Be You: Genomia, 2015. Cotton, polyester, silk and fiberglass fabrics, mounted
photograph, in a white shadow box, 66 x 84 x 5 in.
Gerhardt Knodel, Gathering Four Corners of the Sky (A Dexterity Game), 2011. Digital photo prints, acrylic, plastic disks, plastic, wood,
newspaper, painted paper, stainless steel balls. Three panels, each 60 1/2 x 18 x 1 3/4 in. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Gerson
Photography by PD Rearick
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