More of an activity:the artist as choreographer
More of an activity:the artist as choreographer examines ways in which movement of the human body becomes essential components of art-works and how artists transform this ephemeral 'material' into forms of art that transcend categorization as performance. The exhibition introduces artistic practices consisting of action and gesture in a sustainable context, looking at how staged or performative elements are transformed into long-term presentations. Assuming a role that might be likened to a choreographer, the participating artists create unconventional forms of visual art that take into account the unique relationship between the artist's practice and the audience or participant at a specific moment or site.
Artists today are shedding light on the performative medium, which arose in opposition to conventional art forms, by generating temporal experiences. These artists continue to interpret and develop this historical achievement as a means of rethinking the conventional museological context for the reception of art as well as daily life. Bruce Nauman, who has long been exploring the performative in art, expresses it as 'more of an activity and less of a product.' * Inspired by these words, this exhibition focuses on post-performance practices as an emerging field of expression.
The performative tendency has been supported in part by new technology. Since the 1960's and 70's, artists have been using new technology experimentally to transform ephemeral phenomena into more lasting and sustainable material. Video has become a medium for comparing and contrasting the various ways to record and retrieve action and gesture. Artists use video not only as a means to represent bodily movement, but also as a provocative tool to edit and frame movement and enlarge choreographic practices.
The artists in this exhibition naturally engage and interact with the public. And through this interaction with their audience and participants, they blur the boundaries between life and art. As the body is one of the most democratic - and primary - instruments for expression, as well as a universal language, this exhibition can explore common practices and interests of contemporary artists from a global perspective.
More of an activity looks at both the aspirations behind artists' use of the human body, as well as the variety of forms this vein of artistic expression takes. As the curtain opens on 'more of a two-month performance,' we hope that for visitors this exhibition will provide a more physical, accessible, direct experience of art.
*'Bruce Nauman Interviewed, Vanguard 8, 1 February 1979.
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Duration Saturday July 31- Monday October 11, 2010
Opening hours 10:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:30 )
Closed Monday (except September 20, October 11)
September 21
Admission charges Adults 1,000 (800) yen
College Students 700 (600) yen
High School Students 500 (400) yen
*Figures in brackets ( ) are the charges for advance-purchase and groups of 30 or more persons.
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