Carissa Rodriguez's Lobby and Andro Wekua's Books, Editions, and the Like Reading Room

Carissa Rodriguez is a New York based artist, writer and gallerist. Her work addresses questions regarding authorship, originality and collective production. Her intervention at SI consists of two elements that link the Swiss Institute to the legendary Kronenhalle Bar in Zurich. The bar's old fas... Read more

Carissa Rodriguez is a New York based artist, writer and gallerist. Her work addresses questions regarding authorship, originality and collective production. Her intervention at SI consists of two elements that link the Swiss Institute to the legendary Kronenhalle Bar in Zurich. The bar’s old fashioned coaster has been transformed into a recurring pattern, screened onto fabric, and eventually tailored to a pleated skirt. Additionally, neatly designed cards are on display in the lobby, inviting people to have a very special drink, a Tommy Rowles, at either Kronenhalle or the Carlyle. The real Tommy Rowles, a die-hard New Yorker, is and has been the head barman at Bemelman’s (at Carlyle, New York) for 50 years.
My skirt with tears is always wet – I have forgotten to forget. –Japanese proverb

Andro Wekua (born in Georgia 1977, lives and works in Berlin) has been described as a master of suggestion. The SI Reading Room is proud to present a selection of Wekua’s books and editions, which have never been displayed together. A large variety of books accompanies his artistic production and include collaborations with Rita Ackermann, Boris Groys and Ketuta Alexi.

Image: Carissa Rodriguez, Skirt, 2010. Pleated skirt, 100% silk.