What happens when two curators independently curate two shows containing
identical works? How do these curatorial projects cross paths and how does this
broaden our dialogue on the practice of curating? William Heath and Zeljka Himbele-
Kozul explore these (and other) questions through an ... Read more
What happens when two curators independently curate two shows containing
identical works? How do these curatorial projects cross paths and how does this
broaden our dialogue on the practice of curating? William Heath and Zeljka Himbele-
Kozul explore these (and other) questions through an innovative exhibition of twelve
talented emerging artists who investigate themes of portals into other spaces and worlds.
Within My Little / Membrane, the process of curation becomes visible as we are asked to
review the subjective nature of art interpretation from close up.
Intrigued by manmade structures such as biospheres and greenhouses, curator William
Heath developed a curatorial narrative, My Little, based on the idea of constructed
parallel universes and our innate tendency to imagine ourselves within such worlds.
Often these other places are nostalgic and innocent; mini-utopias free from the chaos of
our modern lives. The manipulation of scale becomes a metaphor for not only our natural
ego-centrism, but also our continual desire to return to the forever-unattainable innocence
of our childhood.
Taking a more literal interpretation, curator Zeljka Himbele-Kozul analyzes the same
works using the idea of a membrane. Membranes form barriers while simultaneously
allowing selective passage. For Zeljka, the works in the show, which she has titled
Membrane, similarly involve the dichotomy of separation and connectedness. Some of
the membranes created are literal; others are more metaphorical. Many deal with the
relationships between one and one’s environment the different means through which
these relationships are mediated.
The aritsts, who create visually intriguing and interesting work in varying media, have
been linked by Heath and Himbele-Kozul into two different yet cohesive curatorial
agendas.
Thomas Doyle creates small-scale sculptures
enclased in glass that depict what he calls “remnants of the
past.” The video 440.0 Hz by Michele Beck and Jorge Calvo
was shot with a spy camera inside the mouth during a walk
down the streets of New York. Janell Olah’s life-size
installations are built environments made of plastic, vinyl and
other fabricated materials. A soft, zoomorphic sculpture by
Bethany Jean Fancher is installed on a gallery wall and spills
down onto the floor – the viewer’s space. Vlatka Horvat’s
piece Packages depicts the artist’s body wrapped in different
materials. Alejandro Almanza Pereda’s sculptures are
constructed in what appears to be a serious state of imbalance.
Creating intricate video scenes, Yulia Lanina combines
elements of traditional Russian folklore and contemporary pop
culture. Humor pervades much of the work of Jihyun Park,
who plays with language and cultural themes. Anna Stein
references past art history greats and recontextualizes them in
radical ways. Mechanical structures by David McQueen
mimic natural phenomena and turn the gallery space into a
living environment of its own. Traci Tullius presents a video in which she attempts to
slow down her daily actions and confront social conventions.
A unique curatorial collaboration, My Little / Membrane presents 12 incredibly
talented artists in a gallery-stretching exhibition. Heath and Himbele-Kozul have
created fascinating new ways to think about the subjectivity of art and the ever-
changing role of the curator in the art world.
Bethany JeanFancher, Scribbles, 2003
