OBJECTIVITY

Group exhibition curated by Robin Dodds. The artists in this exhibition represent objects as signs or images. Alternatively, they may also present or incorporate objects in their work in various media, either whole or as materials of making. Works by: Alan Belcher; Gary Falk; Debra Jenks; Jeff Koons; Marilyn Minter; Michael Ross; Erika Rothenberg; Katherine Sherwood; Haim Steinbach; Tom Warren. With concurrent solo exhibitions by Buffalo artists Bruce Adams and Debra Jenks.

From Hallwalls December 1984 calendar:

"The artists in this exhibition represent objects as signs or images, or they present or incorporate them either whole or as materials of making in their work in various media. Whether consumer products, sporting goods, household items, decorative notions, or valuable possessions, the featured objects function as the subject and primary content of these works. Thus, the artists prompt our examination of the perceived meaning of these objects and, ultimately, to the 'subjectifying process' of that response. Any context of the objects—either provided by the artist (ranging from advertisting backdrops to street garbage) or omitted—raises similar issues serving to re-examine the system of relations and values in which we perceive these entities to exist and to operate in accustomed ways. The surprise of these works lies in the artists' 're-objectification'* of their subjective response to these objects in ways which offer alternative means of perceiving and understanding our world, and for the artists, of making art" (Robin Dodds).

*Quotations taken from a conversation with Haim Steinbach.

Debra Jenks whose work is also included in the Objectivity show, utilizes a vocabulary of cartoon-like images of animals, flowers, and vases derived form greeting cards, gift notions, and other popular items. Despite the irritating banality of these cultural images, Jenks admits that "the element of humor keeps me from slipping too deep into the existential." This exhibition will present a body of work which she began in Los Angeles and completed upon her return to Buffalo last year. The artist recently moved to New York City.

Bruce Adams combines images of the human figure with motifs from technological culture, ranging from computer microchips to appliances. By his use of a graphic style and a deployment of visual elements in an advertising or propagandistic manner, the artist creates his own versions of persuasion which point to various ironies. Ultimately, these works illustrate a homogenization of world cultures and blending of societies which global technology and communications is creating. The artist lives in Buffalo.

Some publications related to this event:
December, 1984. - 1984