MVP – MOST VALUABLE PUBLISHERS
December 6-8, 2012 / Rookie Festival, Municipal Gallery Arsenal, Poznań PL
December 29, 2012 – January 13, 2013 / Arsenał City Gallery, Poznań PL
Curator: Honza Zamojski
Artists: «The sports analogy of the ROOKIE FESTIVAL is extended through to the MVP exhibition, applying the title to the Most Valuable Publishers on the market. The assessment isn’t an exaggeration as this the first Polish survey of dozens of publications from leading artists as one collective exhibition. For these artists, the book is an essential element, for many even a key focus, of their artistic practice. Featured works include the para-architectural objects of Tauba Auerbach and Josh Smith’s experimental forms through the conceptual activities of David Horvitz and Rick Myers. At the event, each of the artists will share their own characteristic approach to publishing. For some it provides a space for conceptual speculation and formal play, for others it is an archive for earlier works. Some pursue the nobility of the printed page, others stretch the notion of the “book” and its audience, composing dialogues or acting as performers in the urban space, such as Aleš Čermák. At the same time, the publications brought together by curator Honza Zamojski at the show compose a unique collection of his own publishing projects, while giving an insight into his artistic fascinations. The show also demonstrates how books are an irrevocable part of the artist’s presence, not only in the contemporary art world, but also within the consciousness of the public at large.»
Artists: Tauba Auerbach, Cezary Bodzianowski, Christophe Boutin, Maurizio Cattelan, Aleš Čermák, David Horvitz, Brian Kennon, Rick Myers, Paulina Ołowska, Slavs and Tatars, Josh Smith, Tadej Pogačar, TTC (Emil Alsbo, Magnus F. Clausen and Simon H. Hansen)
[Works in the show have been provided courtesy of the artists and Foksal Gallery Foundation, Printed Matter Inc., Three Star Books]