Spencer Tunick: Reaction Zone
I-20 Gallery, New York
November 9 – December 16, 2000
Spencer Tunick's exhibition Reaction Zone is the artist first show at I-20 since 1998. This show comprises an installation of recent images taken in New York, Los Angeles, and the cities of Basel and Vienna.
Spencer Tunick's performances encompass dozens, hundreds or thousands of volunteers; and his photographs are records of these events. Without their clothing the individuals are like vessels. Most often grouped together and lying prone, the bodies are organisms that extend into and upon the landscape like a new substance. These grouped masses – which do not underscore sexuality – become abstract narratives that challenge or reconfigure one's views of nudity and privacy. The work also refers to the complex issue of presenting art in permanent or temporary public spaces.
Spencer Tunick's body of work may come to help define or at least clarify the social, political and legal issues surrounding art in the public sphere. Since 1994 Tunick has tried to work in New York without interference or imprisonment. After his fifth arrest in April 1999, the artist filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against New York City. In May 2000 Tunick won this First Amendment case in the Second U.S. District Court. On June 3, in response to the city's appeal made to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the court at large, the United States Supreme Court refused to rule in favor of the city, allowing the artist to organize his work on New York City streets.
Social Static, a black and white video made in collaboration with New York-based artist Chris Habib and with an original score composed and performed by Sonic Youth, will be shown in the East Room during the exhibition.
An exhibition catalogue (No.14), with an essay by Lisa Liebmann, was published for the exhibition.
In 2001 Spencer Tunick will organize an indoor performance for Site Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico. He will also participate in the first Valencia Biennial in Spain; and will organize a large performance in St. Petersburg, Russia, during the White Nights in June. His performances include the Vienna Kunsthalle 1999, and Statements at Art 30 Basel 1999. Tunick has had exhibitions at Art and Public, Geneva; the Magazine 4, Bregenz, Austria; and Perspectives at FIAC 2000, Paris. He will have fall shows at the Joao Graca Gallery, Lisbon, and the Hales Gallery, London. His works were recently acquired by the Dakis Joannou Foundation Collection in Athens, Greece.
Spencer Tunick has been documenting the live figure in public since 1992. Since 1994 he has made 45 group performances in the United States and Europe. Spencer Tunick was born in Middletown, New York, in 1967. He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
I-20 GALLERY
529 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011
www.i-20.com
