contributions to the "What is a Metaphor?" BHQFU chair at Collective Show

COLLECTIVE SHOW NYC 2010
Participant Inc, 253 East Houston Street, ground floor between Norfolk and Suffolk Streets on the Lower East Side
participant@participantinc.org
T: 212-254-4334 F: 212-254-4141
September 15-26, 2010
Reception, Sunday, September 19, 7-9 pm

COLLECTIVE SHOW LAUNCHES NEW YORK EXHIBITION

Collective Show is pleased to present “Collective Show New York 2010,” an artist-organized exhibition of contemporary collaborative art groups recently established in New York. This collaboratively curated “group show of group shows” features DIY artist-run spaces and projects, emerging curatorial initiatives and local independent publications.

Occupying a growing space between established non-profit organizations and commercial galleries, groups in this show are working within fluid definitions – in flexible and adaptive conditions that are fundamental to their working models.

Thirty art groups will exhibit their work during this show at PARTICIPANT INC, a not-for-profit gallery on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Artworks, posters and publications will be on display. Screenings and performances will also take place during the exhibition.

Participating groups include: 179 canal, 25CPW, Artist Accomplices, AVA, BHQFU, Boffo, Camel Collective, The Chrysler Series, Daily Operation, Eyelevel BQE, FARIMANI, Forever & Today, Forte, HKJB, The Holster, the jogging, Kunstverein NY, The Metric System, Parlour, Primetime, The Public School, Silvershed, Submerged Art, Vector Productions, Why and Wherefore, YES, and Collective Show 2011 hosts: ACP (Los Angeles), Human Resources (Los Angeles), Night Gallery (Los Angeles) and Temporary Contemporary (London).

A catalogue will accompany the exhibition and a PDF will be available at www.collectiveshow.org

Collective Show is not-for-profit, volunteer organized, and open to the public. To learn more, please visit us online or contact Kerry Hassler: kerry@collectiveshow.org

About Collective Show

Collective Show is an open-source project organized by Silvershed, an artist-run project space in New York and Los Angeles, which co-founded and hosted ABCyz in October 2009. Collective Show advances creative relationships and conjures new ideas by fostering locally run “collective shows” in art metropoles globally. Upcoming Collective Shows will take place in Los Angeles, Berlin and London.

About Silvershed

Silvershed is an artist-run contemporary art project space in Chelsea, working between New York, Los Angeles and Berlin, as a collaboration for exhibitions, publications and events.

Silvershed explores social dynamics of increasingly lateral flow of exchange of information, ideas and resources among artists to generate and to connect discussions of contemporary art values, ethics and aesthetics of the 21st century.

Started in 2008 by Patrick Meagher, Yunhee Min and Oliver Lanz, Silvershed is volunteer organized, and a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Silvershed graciously accepts tax-deductible contributions. www.thesilvershed.org

Press Contact
Kerry Hassler
Tel: 917-685-4652
press@collectiveshow.org

Stephen Wuensch's chair video ^^ and statement to the "What is a Metaphor?" class of BHQFU:

Friends,

I have gone rogue and I would like you to come with me.

Our contribution to the COLLECTIVE SHOW will be installed on Tuesday. The show opens on Wednesday, and the reception is scheduled for Sunday. A few of you have shared with me your drawings, print-outs and ideas. I appreciate that very much. The work I have seen makes it clear that a simple idea can result in compelling work. Ultimately this installation will be about us, our interactions and contributions. It is about what is created when we choose to cross this minefield of interactions together.

The installation will consist of a single folding chair, wall text and a pile of "drawings." Drawings will be of the things that represent the space of the BHQFU; the speakers, the projector, the cat, and yes, the chairs. This should be interpreted very loosely. If you bring me a pencil sketch of Justin Bieber's butt and call it a chair it will probably be accepted. If you bring me a polaroid picture of your dead dog, it will be probably be accepted. You want to bring a green piece of paper? I'll take it. Why? because we can talk about anything, we can come up with excuses for everything, make connections where they shouldn't be-- really it's what we do best. Consider it an offering. And don't stop at just one. Make many. Just please try to be involved. Keep in mind that the works will be stacked and they may be handled, so if they are really messy it may be a problem. Or not. I really don't know. This is partly about making concessions to serve the larger narrative.

If you have something to contribute this Tuesday, bring it to the BHQFU at 7pm and we will bring it over to the space before they wrap up for the night. If you can't bring it on Tuesday, bring it to the opening on Sunday. If you can't bring it then, bring it to the space at any time during the exhibition. It is a work that should evolve over time. If you have another idea about how to be involved, send me a message or come to class on Tuesday.

This is a really unique opportunity, and it is one that I hope you can get excited about.

As ever, everyone is welcome. Pass this along to your friends.

Participant is located at 253 E Houston between Norfolk and Suffolk. The opening reception is from 7-9pm on Sunday, September 19th. Full info here: http://www.participantinc.org/

Hope to see you soon,

Stephen W.