ON THE NATURE OF THINGS
Central Gallery
October 15 to December 31, 2011
Curated by Patrik Andersson
To many Canadians the title of this exhibition will bring to mind David Suzuki’s longstanding science and nature television series of a similar name. However, in the context of this art exhibition the title is meant to summon up the words and images created by Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius in his epic poem De rerum natura. Its purpose was to explain Epicurean philosophy to Roman audiences in the 1st century BC.
In keeping with Lucretius' clinamen principle, the exhibition On the Nature of Things is organized with a multi-directional and non-linear curatorial approach that highlights individual artistic practices through a close reading of specific works. Rather than choose one specific theme or medium to pursue, the exhibition introduces a number of subjects (or avenues) to explore. The artists in this exhibition share an interest in returning to strikingly Modernist forms and structures. Sampling from a wide range of sources as diverse as advertising, found photographs, driftwood and modernist art, these artists employ surrealist wit to repurpose clichéd forms from our everyday urban environment and popular culture into extra-ordinary aesthetic tropes that challenge a stable understanding of both art and our modernity.
The artists include Kim Kennedy Austin, Andrew Dadson, Sarah Dobai, Rodney Graham, Alexander Gutke, Sofia Hulten, Jack Jeffrey, Evan Lee, Kristi Malakoff, Shannon Oksanen, Kathy Slade, Gordon Smith, T&T (Tony Romano and Tyler Brett), Jacques de la Villeglé, and Neil Wedman.
Generously sponsored by B-100, Jane Irwin, Ross Hill
Evan Lee
Stain, 2003
chromogenic print
Collection of Simon Fraser University Art Gallery
