Watch What We Say

Here's one protest show that suddenly got pulled together – duration one
week only! – on the occasion of the RNC invasion.

opens Wed, Aug 25 6-9pm…

permalink here:
http://newsgrist.typepad.com/underbelly/2004/07/watch_what_we_s.html


Press Release July 2004

"Watch What We Say" Venue: Schroeder Romero.
173A N.3rd Street. Williamsburg Brooklyn NY.
www.schroderromero.com 718 486 8992.
Opening Reception: Wed August 25, 2004. 6-9pm
Exhibition Dates: August 26 September 2, 2004. 12-6pm.
Contact: Marc Lepson. 718 692 4571. [email protected]

Artists:
Robbie Conal, Jim Costanzo, Erika deVries, Electronic Disturbance Theater,
Christopher Knowles, Joy Garnett, Jerry Kearns, Joyce Kozloff, Carrie Moyer,
Ann Messner, Jenny Polak, William Pope L., Dread Scott, Peter Scott, Carla
Repice, Leonard Silverberg, James Tomon, Barbara Weissberger, Krzysztof
Wodiczko, Emna Zghal

An exhibition of new and recent visual works in a variety of media, Watch What
We Say presents a mix of emerging and established artists who address pressing
political issues of the moment in poetic, subversive, emotional and clear-eyed
terms.

In the weeks following the attacks of September 11, 2001, President Bushs press
secretary Ari Fleischer replied to criticism of administration policy by
warning that all Americans need to watch what they say, watch what they do.
This challenge to free expression emphasized the climate of war, repression,
and xenophobia that continues to run through American society. By speaking
directly to this web of issues that remain intertwined and interdependent, the
artists selected for this exhibition present works that testify to the power of
creative thought in the face of overwhelming odds.

For this show, timed to coincide with the Republican National Convention in
NYC, artists Joy Garnett, James Tomon, Carrie Moyer, Jerry Kearns and Robbie
Conal show works that take on images of power via painterly construction and
de-construction of mediated images. Jenny Polak and Krzysztof Wodiczko look
closely at the immigrant experience, while Wlliam Pope L. and Dread Scott
examine racial relations in historical and contemporary terms, and Peter Scotts
mirror image explores the interplay between the relentless marketing of fear
and the selling of comfort. Taking a more emotional aproach, Christopher
Knowles presents a simple and moving interpretation of color coded alert
levels, along with Leonard Silverbergs carefully composed ink washes of
wandering displaced persons, Joyce Kozloffs meticulous watercolor map of the
partition of 1948 Palestine/Israel, and Barbara Weissbergers humorous and
disturbing corporeal forms. Ann Messners newspaper vending machine installation
presents a hopeful alternative by dispensing free copies of un conventional
heroes, a narrative of personal courage and dissent. Rounding out the show are
video interventions by Jim Costanzo, off-site performance by Carla Repice, live
internet radio broadcast by Erika deVries and a Virtual Sit-In of the RNC by
Electronic Disturbance Theater (Ricardo Dominguez, Carmin Karasic , Brett
Stalbaum, Stefan Wray).

Looking directly at extreme circumstances, these artists project back lyrical
responses that are complex, beautiful, and meaningful. Difficult questions are
posed eloquently, with respect to the myriad of possible answers.



Watch What We Say is curated by Marc Lepson, an installation and graphic artist
whose previous curatorial projects include Art During Wartime (co-organized
with Dread Scott) shown at IT IN Space NYC, Spring 2003. His work is on view at
the Brooklyn Museums Open House exhibition through August 15, and can be seen
at http://www.artistsnetwork.org/news7/news288.html