Endings and new beginnings the theme of film exhibition at ASU Art Museum
TEMPE, Ariz. - ASU Art Museum is proud to present Adam Chodzko: Limbo Land and A Place for 'The End,' the first solo museum exhibition of British artist Adam Chodzko's work in the United States. The exhibition will run Nov. 9, 2002 - Jan. 12, 2003.
Chodzko was today named as a recipient of the 2002 Helen Hamlyn Award for creativity and innovation, one of the most prestigious awards available to British artists. He lives and works in Whitstable, Kent and London, and has developed an international reputation for his work, which delves into issues of reincarnation, afterlife and reinvention through subtle suggestion, rather than express explanation. His work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale and elsewhere in Italy, as well as in Britain, Ireland, Greece, The Netherlands and New Zealand.
ASU Art Museum presents two of Chodzko's works in this exhibition: Limbo Land, a DVD/sound installation; and A Place for 'The End', a still photography/DVD installation. The works examine the theme of apparent conclusion and finality.
Exhibition curator John Spiak said that the works in Adam Chodzko: Limbo Land and A Place for 'The End,' allow the viewer to define or imagine an ending, or what may actually be a new beginning.
"Through sight, sound and image, Chodzko allows emotions to come forward, building possibilities of where we go from here and just what 'the end' may bring. Chodzko seems to posit that something happens to the mind and soul once the body has ceased to function," Spiak said.
"How memories are formed and what happens to these memories outside physical boundaries or 'frames' is another facet of this theme into which the artist inquires," he said.
A Place for 'The End' includes eight different final scenes of an imaginary film shot in eight locations throughout Birmingham, England. Chodzko offered each of eight participants the opportunity to choose their own location. Each participant was asked to select a site that would "frame" what might be the final scene of an imaginary film.
In Chodzko's film, the eight "endings" alternate with scenes of a woman talking intently on a telephone while pacing in a room high above Birmingham. Through the acted activities of the woman in the scene, Chodzko implies that the woman is experiencing an "ending."
Limbo Land includes audio of a sound artist as she searches through a diverse archive of recorded atmospheres, attempting to create a soundtrack - as requested by the artist - of "something about an ending" or "something having gone." She believes that her efforts have been unsuccessful, when in actuality she has created the soundtrack for this ending.
The video visually interprets the conclusion of a human life, while the soundtrack inadvertently created by the unidentified sound artist provides the audio. Sound and video merge, insinuating that there is a peaceful, yet uncertain transition between the cessation of human life and whatever happens next. Once again, physical locations become reference points for memory.
A free public reception from 7-9 p.m., Nov. 8, will launch Adam Chodzko: Limbo Land and A Place for 'The End.' The artist will present a gallery talk about his work at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 12, in the museum.
The ASU Art Museum is a division of The Katherine K. Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University. It is located on the southeast corner of Mill Avenue and 10th Street, Tempe. For more information, please call (480) 965-2787 or visit the museum online athttp://asuartmuseum.asu.edu.
When You Go:
Location: ASU Art Museum, Nelson Fine Arts Center, corner Mill Avenue and 10th Street, Tempe.
Date & Time: Adam Chodzko: Limbo Land and A Place for 'The End,' will run Nov. 9, 2002 - Jan. 12, 2003.
A free opening reception is scheduled for 7-9 p.m., Nov. 8.
The artist will present a gallery lecture at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 12.
Parking: Free parking is available in ASU Art Museum-marked spaces at the south end of Tempe Center, located at the NE corner of Mill Ave. and 10th St. Visitors using museum spaces must sign in at the front desk in the lobby of the Nelson Fine Arts Center. Free parking is also available on weekends and after 7 p.m. weeknights in Parking Structure #3 on Myrtle Avenue, Tempe.
Website: http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu
Cost: Free
Media Contact:
Jennifer Pringle
480-965-8795
jennifer.pringle@asu.edu