Roman Signer "Four Rooms, One Artist"
Swiss Institute Contemporary Art
This event has ended.
The institute proudly presents one of the rare solo exhibitions by Roman Signer in the United States. The renowned Swiss artist (b. 1938, lives in St. Gallen) will create a series of new works, installations and videos that typically include near-scientific experiments with humorous side effects.
Even though many of the works by Roman Signer do not deal with explosions, but rely on water, wind, sand, electricity, and fire, mostly people tend to remember the experiments that blow up. All of Signer’s actions are carefully choreographed. As well as working in his studio, which he calls his lab, Signer often takes off to the Swiss mountains to conduct larger experiments. "I’m no scientist," he maintains, "I’m a tinkerer." Many of his happenings are not for public viewing, and are only documented in photos and film.
This exhibition at the Swiss Institute is divided into four rooms. The first contains a grand piano, which is filled with table tennis balls. Two oscillating fans are placed in front of the instrument. The gentle airflow causes the balls to dance on the chords, creating ambient music. The second room displays a cinema-like setting with rows of seats and a projected film. One chair is mysteriously rocking back and forth, as if led by an invisible hand. The film presenting the same chairs further enhances the complexity of the situation. In the third room, three respective video projections of recent actions will be shown. The fourth and last room hosts the installation "Waiting for Harold Edgerton," a minimal intervention that deliberately remains enigmatic.
It is in the bathtub that Roman Signer gets the ideas for his creations (an important detail in case you book him a hotel room). He then tests them as simple setups in his studio. That is often far from easy; but the failures and adjustments generate new concepts. Roman Signer has been creating his unique sculptures for over 30 years, earning praise and recognition all over the world. And he does not seem to run out of ideas.
[Image: Roman Signer "Ramp" (2008)]
Media
Schedule
from September 15, 2010 to November 13, 2010
Reception For The Artist on 2010-10-14 from 18:00 to 20:00
SoHo Night: Roman Signer's Favorite Beer will be served.