Ai Weiwei, Darren Bader, Joseph Beuys, Olaf Breuning, Los Carpinteros, Maurizio Cattelan, Marcel Duchamp, Iran do Espírito Santo, Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Kate Gilmore, Rodney Graham, Laurent Grasso, David Hammons, Institute for Creative Destruction, International Necronautical Society, Paul Etienne Lincoln, Peter Liversidge, Kris Martin, Jonathan Monk, Yoko Ono, Matthew Ritchie, David Shrigley, Alexandre Singh, Slavs and Tatars, Tavares Strachan, Javier Téllez, Jorinde Voigt and Hennessy Youngman.

August 30, 2013 – Sean Kelly announces ‘Pataphysics: A Theoretical Exhibition, a group exhibition focusing on pataphysical sensibilities in contemporary art, exploring the impact of this quirky and deeply influential philosophy originated at the end of the 19th century by the French poet and playwright Alfred Jarry. Though the definition of ‘Pataphysics – a school of thought that playfully rejects the objective truths of empiricism – is intentionally vague, its implications run deep through many of the important philosophical movements of the 20th century. While existing quietly in the background for decades, recent contemporary art has found alignments with its absurdist principles.

Including works from both contemporary artists and their pataphysical forebearers, the exhibition will examine ‘Pataphysics and its legacy in contemporary art. First run editions of some of Jarry’s books, such as his seminal Ubu Roi ou Les Polonais, form the cornerstone of the exhibition. Marcel Duchamp, one of the earliest members of the College de 'Pataphysiques, is represented in the exhibition with several works, among them the artist’s iconic Rotoreliefs, a set of six double sided two-dimensional discs that spin to create an illusion of depth. More recent explorations of the absurdist nature of the movement are found in Kate Glimore’s video, Sudden as a Massacre, in which a group of women dressed in heels and floral print dresses strenuously pull apart a large block of wet clay, hurling handfuls of it at the surrounding environment, and in Iran do Espírito Santo’s Street Pole, a life-size recreation of a common street lamp, made of solid granite, rendering it useless for its original purpose. Kris Martin's Apocalypse, an antique typewriter with an etching in its carriage, embodies the pataphysical conflation of visual and verbal puns. Humor is evident in many of the works in ‘Pataphysics: A Theoretical Exhibition; Slavs and Tatars’ oversized balloon, A Monobrow Manifesto (Hot/Not), uses perceptions of this facial feature – as “hot” or “not” – to “demystify the conflict between East and West”, while Hennessy Youngman – the alter ego of artist Jayson Musson – created Art Thoughtz, a series of YouTube videos in which Youngman directly addresses the audience, insightfully critiquing various aspects of the elite art world as a faux-outsider. Matthew Ritchie’s contribution to the show – oil on linen paintings with mylar decal extensions – addresses another aspect of the pataphysical, particularly Jarry’s interest in games of chance and knowledge systems that “lie beyond metaphysics”.

The artists included in the exhibition engage the core sensibilities of 'Pataphysics, evoking its irreverent and often light- hearted exploration of the world. Works that establish novel systems of representation are juxtaposed with works that, through absurdist actions and objects, manifest pataphysical conceptions of reality.

‘Pataphysics: A Theoretical Exhibition will be on view concurrently with From Memory: Draw a Map of the United States.

*Please note:
The Institute for Creative Destruction will be present at the opening to discuss its work while demonstrating its mission on documents or other material deemed to be in need of generative obliteration.

Entrance

JONATHAN MONK
Thieves Remain #14 (Pink), 2009
steel, paint
23 1/4 x 41 3/8 x 5 3/4 inches (59 x 105 x 14.5 cm)
JMo-9

SLAVS AND TATARS
A Monobrow Manifesto (Hot/Not), 2010
PVC, print, helium
diameter: 118 inches (300 cm)
edition of 1 with 1 AP
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
SAT-1

IRAN do ESPÍRITO SANTO
Street Pole, 2008
granite
height: 82 5/8 inches (210 cm)
diameter of base: 19 inches (48 cm)
edition of 5 with 2 APs
the work includes a signed and numbered certificate
IdES-244

Entry Area to Main Gallery

JOSEPH BEUYS
Noiseless Blackboard Eraser, 1974
blackboard eraser from felt, stamped
17 3/4 x 15 1/2 inches (45 x 39.4 cm)
edition of 550
signed by the artist
JB-13

MARCEL DUCHAMP AND MAN RAY
Dust Breeding, 1964
gelatin silver print
paper: 9 3/8 x 11 7/8 inches (23.8 x 30.2 cm)
framed: 21 1/8 x 23 3/4 inches (53.7 x 60.3 cm)
edition of 10
signed and dated by Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp, recto
MD-82

JOSEPH BEUYS
Ja ja ja ja ja, nee nee nee nee nee, 1968
sound recording
courtesy of Joseph Beuys Medien Archiv, National Galerie im Hamburger Bahnhof Museum, Berlin: c2001

AI WEIWEI
Coca Cola, 2011
Han Dynasty pottery (206 BC - 220 AD), acrylic color
11 13/16 x 11 13/16 x 10 5/8 inches (30 x 30 x 27 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
AWe-1

YOKO ONO
Play it by Trust, 1966-1998
painted MDF
table: 30 1/8 x 31 1/8 x 23 1/4 inches (76.5 x 79.1 x 59.1 cm)
two chairs: 29 3/4 x 22 7/8 x 20 1/4 inches
thirty-two chess pieces: dimensions variable (75.6 x 58.1 x 51.4 cm) each
YO-1

JAVIER TÉLLEZ
Kitsune-tsuki, 2013
taxidermic fox, taxidermic mouse, electroconvulsive
therapy machine, metal bed, mattress, erasers, text
taxidermic fox: 7 x 29 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches (17.8 x 74.9 x 39.4 cm) electroconvulsive therapy machine: 7 1/2 x 14 7/8 x 12 inches (19.1 x 37.8 x 30.5 cm)
bed: 21 1/2 x 32 x 19 1/2 inches (54.6 x 81.3 x 49.5 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
JTe-2

DAVID SHRIGLEY
Small Flag, 2012
acrylic on plywood with steel armature
flag: 7 3/4 x 11 1/2 inches (19.7 x 29.2 cm)
steel armature: 5 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches (14 x 52.1 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
DSh-2

Main Gallery (clockwise from east wall)

PETER LIVERSIDGE
Untitled (Black and White Dice), 2011
Acrylic, poplar wood
dimensions variable
the work is accompanied by a framed artist's proposal
PLi-53

DAVID SHRIGLEY
Untitled, 1999
ink on paper (set of 15)
7 7/8 x 4 7/8 inches (20 x 12.4 cm) each signed by the artist, verso
DSh-1

OLAF BREUNING
The Apple, 2006
wood, projector, speaker, high resolution QuickTime
movie file, 11 minutes 5 seconds
edition of 3
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
OBr-2

JORINDE VOIGT
Piece for Words and Views XXIV, 2012 colored vellum, ingres paper, pencil and ink on watercolor paper
paper: 31 1/2 x 70 7/8 inches (80 x 180 cm) framed: 34 1/2 x 74 inches (87.6 x 188 cm) signed by the artist, recto
JVo-2

JORINDE VOIGT
Piece for Words and Views XX, 2012
colored vellum, ingres paper, pencil and ink on watercolor paper
paper: 31 1/2 x 70 7/8 inches (80 x 180 cm)
framed: 34 1/2 x 74 inches (87.6 x 188 cm) signed by the artist, recto
JVo-1

OLAF BREUNING
No Food No Brain, 2009
wood, hardware, hot glue, acrylic paint
left: 75 1/8 x 49 x 4 inches
(190.8 x 124.5 x 10.2 cm)
right: 80 1/2 x 30 3/8 x 4 inches (204.5 x 77.2 x 10.2 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
OBr-1

JONATHAN MONK
This Painting Should Be Installed by a Complete Stranger, 2011
gold leaf and acrylic on canvas
63 x 43 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches (160 x 110.5 x 4.4 cm)
JMo-11

Main Gallery (west wall)

MATTHEW RITCHIE
the office of completion (alpha), 2011
oil and ink on linen with vinyl decal
framed: 74 x 56 inches (188 x 142.2 cm)
overall: 74 x 109 inches (188 x 276.9 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
MAR-3

MATTHEW RITCHIE
the ninth hour (beta), 2013
oil and ink on linen with vinyl decal
framed: 74 x 56 inches (188 x 142.2 cm)
overall: 100 x 102 inches (254 x 259.1 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
MAR-2

RODNEY GRAHAM
Mini Psycho-Opticon, 2008
kinetic sculpture
90 1/2 x 78 3/4 x 86 3/4 inches (229.9 x 200 x 220.3 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
RGr-1

Main Gallery (north wall)

ALEXANDRE SINGH
The Miracle (Manna), 2012
collage, watercolor and graphite on inkjet UltraChrome print
framed: 45 1/4 x 59 1/2 inches (115 x 151 cm)
edition of 5
signed by the artist, recto
ASh-1

KATE GILMORE
Sudden as a Massacre, 2011
HD video, 30 minutes
edition of 5 with 2 APs
work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
KG-1

LOS CARPINTEROS
Drenaje, 2003
watercolor and graphite on paper
paper: 80 3/4 x 80 1/8 inches (205.1 x 203.5 cm)
framed: 85 1/8 x 84 7/8 inches (217.5 x 215.3 cm)
signed, titled and dated by the artists, recto
LC-28

MARCEL DUCHAMP
Rotoreliefs (Optical Disks), 1953
6 Rotorelief optical discs, printed on both sides in color offset lithography on cardboard
diameter: 7 7/8 inches (20 cm) each
edition of 1000
MD-49

Main Gallery (east wall)

LAURENT GRASSO
Studies into the past
animal adhesive, resin, boiled oil and pigments on wood panel
painting: 60 1/4 x 71 5/8 inches (153 x 182 cm)
framed: 72 1/2 x 83 7/8 inches (184 x 213 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
LG-P.12.975

MARCEL DUCHAMP
Rasée L.H.O.O.Q. [Shaved L.H.O.O.Q.], 1965
Readymade: reproduction of the Mona Lisa (playing card), mounted on dinner invitation
card: 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches (8.9 x 6.4 cm)
paper: 8 1/4 x 5 3/8 inches (21 x 13.7 cm)
framed: 16 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches (42.5 x 34.9 cm)
signed by the artist, recto
MD-81

Main Gallery (central, from entrance)

KRIS MARTIN
Apocalypse, 2013
found typewriter and etching
10 1/4 x 16 1/2 x 15 inches (26 x 42 x 38 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
KM-2

JOSEPH BEUYS
JA JA JA JA JA, NEE, NEE, NEE, NEE, NEE, 1969
felt and recording tape
6 x 10 x 10 inches (15.2 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm)
15 1/8 x 25 1/4 x 25 1/4 inches (38.4 x 64.1 x 64.1 cm) edition of 100 with 10 APs
signed and numbered twice
JB-2

MARCEL DUCHAMP
Bouche-Evier (Sink Stopper), 1964
bronze cast of lead sink stopper
diameter: 2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm)
height: 7/16 inches (1.1 cm)
edition of 100 with 12 APs
incised verso: Marcel Duchamp / 64
MD-68

DAVID HAMMONS
The Holy Bible: Old Testament, 2002
artist bookwork
book:13 x101/4x2inches (33x26x5.1cm)
slipcase: 13 3/8 x 10 3/4 x 2 3/8 inches (34 x 27.3 x 6 cm)
edition of 165
DaH-1

ALFRED JARRY
Ubu Roi ou Les Polonais
Fasquelle Editeurs, Paris, date unknown paperbound book
6 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches (16.5 x 12.1 cm)
ALJ-1

ALFRED JARRY
Les Minutes de Sable Memorial suivies de Cesar-Antechrist Fasquelle Editeurs, Paris, 1932
paperbound book
6 5/8 x 5 inches (16.8 x 12.7 cm)
ALJ-3

ALFRED JARRY
Ubu Enchaine suivi de ubu sur la butte Fasquelle Editeurs, Paris, 1938
paperbound book
6 1/2 x 5 inches (16.5 x 12.7 cm)
ALJ-2

PAUL ETIENNE LINCOLN
The Enigma of Marie Taglioni, 1982-1983
two-part installation with steel, wax, aluminum, salt and vitrine with objects and Cornell text in gold leaf dimensions variable
(69.9 x 121.3 x 3.8 cm)
PEL-1

TAVARES STRACHAN
The Problem of One Thing Existing
Simultaneously (Corona), 2007
glass, stainless steel, Plexiglas
overall: 43 1/2 x 40 x 20 inches (110.5 x 101.6 x 50.8 cm)
the work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity
TSt-1

Reading Shelf

HENNESSY YOUNGMAN
ART THOUGHTZ: Relational Aesthetics Uploaded on Mar 15, 2011
Youtube video on an iMac computer

HENNESSY YOUNGMAN
ART THOUGHTZ: How to Make an Art Uploaded on Feb 7, 2011
Youtube video on an iMac computer

PAUL ETIENNE LINCOLN
The Enigma of Marie Taglioni, 1982-1984

RENE DAUMAL
Pataphysical Essays
Wakefield Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2012

ANDREW HUGILL
Pataphysics: A Useless Guide
MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2012

ALASTAIR BROTCHIE
Alfred Jarry: A Pataphysical Life
MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2011

MAURIZIO CATTELAN, PIERPAOLO FERRARI, eds.
Toilet Paper: Issue 3, September 30, 2011
Deste Foundation for Contemporary Art

MAURIZIO CATTELAN, PIERPAOLO FERRARI, eds.
Toilet Paper: Issue 7, March 31, 2013
Damiani

MAURIZIO CATTELAN, PIERPAOLO FERRARI, eds.
Toilet Paper: Issue 5, May 31, 2012
Le Dictateur Press

MAURIZIO CATTELAN, PIERPAOLO FERRARI, eds.
Toilet Paper: Issue 6, October 31, 2012
Le Dictateur Press

TOM MCCARTHY, SIMON CRITCHLEY, ET AL
The Mattering of Matter: Documents from the Archive of the International Necronautical Society
Sternberg Press, Berlin, Germany, 2012

CHRISTIAN BOK
Pataphysics: The Poetics of an Imaginary Science Northwestern University Press, Evanston, Illinois, 2002

INTERNATIONAL NECRONAUTICAL SOCIETY
Calling Agents: Transmission, Death, Technology, 2003/2010 General Secretary's Report
Vargas Organisation, London

INTERNATIONAL NECRONAUTICAL SOCIETY
Navigation Was Always A Difficult Art, 2002/2010 General Secretary's Report
Vargas Organisation, London

SLAVS AND TATARS
Friendship of Nations: Polish Shi’ite Showbiz Bookworks
London, United Kingdom, 2013

SLAVS AND TATARS
Molla Nasreddin: The Magazine the Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve Christoph Keller Editions and JRP Ringier Kunstverlag AG, Zurich Germany, 2011

SLAVS AND TATARS
Not Moscow Not Mecca
Revolver Publishing, Berlin, Germany, 2012

SLAVS AND TATARS
Khhhhhhh
Mousse Publishing, Milan, Italy, 2012

Stairwell

DARREN BADER
(soap made of dark matter)
digital image
dimensions variable
edition of 2 with 1 AP
DBr-1

Lower Level Gallery

PETER FISCHLI AND DAVID WEISS
The Way Things Go, 1987
16mm film transferred to video (color, sound), 31 minutes
FAW-1