Dan Flavin, Chiesa Rossa and Fondazione Prada, Milan

Dan Flavin 
Chiesa Rossa and Fondazione Prada, Milan
29 November 1997 - 31 January 1998

The Fondazione Prada presents two important projects by Dan Flavin (1933-1996) who, with Sol Le Witt, Donald Judd, Robert Morris and Carl Andre, was one of the main protagonists of the American minimalist art movement: Untitled 1996 is a permanent installation at the church Santa Maria in Chiesa Rossa while Works 1964 - 1981 is a selection of historically important works housed at the Fondazione Prada itself.

The work at the Chiesa Rossa was the last project conceived and designed by Dan Flavin before his death, and consists of a permanent site-specific installation donated to the Chiesa Rossa by the Fondazione Prada. This system of fluorescent lights was especially designed by the artist for the main nave and transepts of the Chiesa Rossa, perhaps with the intention of bringing a metaphysical dimension to the immateriality of his minimalist work.

The installation consists of fluorescent tubes of different colours and lengths which are placed horizontally and vertically, symmetrically and asymetrically about the space which, combined with the architecture of renowned architect Giovanni Muzio who designed the Chiesa Rossa in 1932, create a spectacular visual effect. This work continues the tradition of dialogue between visual research and places of worship, a significant theme in modern and contemporary art as well as in architecture from Matisse to Rothko, from Nevelson to Cucchi. The project also owes its existence to the cultural and pastoral initiatives of Don Giulio, parish priest at the Chiesa Rossa.

The second project involves two thematic installations of Dan Flavin's works at the Fondazione Prada of Milan curated by Michael Govan, director of the Dia Center for the Arts in New York.

The first of these consists of works of the series European Couples, 1966-1976, a group of six 8 ft.-wide squares of fluorescent tubing, each in a different colour. The composition is extremely simple: in each set of four tubes, the two vertical ones are pointed towards the wall while the horizontal ones are aimed towards the installation space. Each ensemble is placed diagonally with respect to the corner of the room. The Milan exhibition use a linear architectural layout designed by Dan Flavin himself.

The second part of the show consists of a selection of Monuments for V.Tatlin, 1964-1981. These pseudo-monuments - Dan Flavin used the term 'pseudo' to underline the ephemeral and temporary effect of the fluorescent tubes which produce light for 2100 hours before burning out - call to mind the image of the Monument at the Third International by Tatlin. They become an homage to the fleeting and communicative existence of light. This presentation also makes use of a zigzag architectural project conceived by the artist and so both European Couples and Monuments for V .Tatlin may be considered as fresh, new readings and re-presentations of historical works by this classic minimalist.

Because of the complexity of this ambitious project which documents the meeting between a contemporary artist and architecture, in particular that of the historic Chiesa Rossa designed by Muzio, the Fondazione Prada has decided to produce a book that brings together reflections and theoretical essays on the interweaving of art and the sacred, contemporary research and places of worship, sculpture and the church, a space of ritual socialisation and an imaginary one. The main aim of this volume, edited by Germano Celant, is to decode or interpret the relationships existing between religious and secular projects in order to identify a point of cohesion or osmosis between the two different perspectives. For this reason theoreticians, philosophers, architects and historians such as Carlo Bertelli and Germano Celant, Hubert Damish and Christine Gluckman, Michael Govan and Vittorio Gregotti, Fulvio Irace and Don Pier Luigi Lia, Mario Perniola and Gianni Vattimo have been invited to write on this theme.

FONDAZIONE PRADA, MILAN
www.fondazioneprada.org

Drawings by Dan Flavin, Chinati Foundation, Marfa, Texas - Dan Flavin, Drawings 1962-1975 & untitled (to my father, D. Nicholas Flavin, 1891-1974), 1974

Dan Flavin, Drawings 1962-1975 & untitled (to my father, D. Nicholas Flavin, 1891-1974), 1974

Chinati Foundation, Marfa, Texas

October 4, 1997 - May 1998

The Chinati Foundation will present an exhibition of drawings by DAN FLAVIN that will open on the occasion of the museum's Open House celebration on October 4. It will be the first time in over twenty years that this aspect of Dan Flavin's oeuvre will be shown; the work was last exhibited in the US at the St. Louis Museum of Art in 1973 and the Fort Worth Art Museum in 1976. The last European showing was at the Kunstmuseum Basel in 1975. This comprehensive survey contains over one hundred drawings executed between 1962 and 1975. During the mid 70s, Dan Flavin replaced these 'rough sketches' with 'diagrams' which were done after the installation in fluorescent light had been realized. His 'rough sketches,' on the other hand, are a direct reflection of Flavin's thoughts and ideas during the development of a work.

The earliest sketches in this exhibition relate to a series of "Icons," Dan Flavin's earliest works to incorporate electric light. Only eight of these Icons were ever realized ‚ seven of which are currently on view at the Dia Center for the Arts in New York. The drawings show that Dan Flavin explored many additional possibilities, and had already conceived specific arrangements that would later be realized in large scale fluorescent works.

The selection of drawings at Chinati will concentrate on works in relation to architecture. The first indication of a 'fluorescent room' dates back to 1963. From 1966 on, there are designs for installations occupying entire rooms or single works for a wall, corner, corridor, or stairway. The sketches do not so much present finished works, but reflect the thoughts leading up to them. Often occupying very small pieces of paper, these drawings can be regarded as notes, and some are indeed densely surrounded by the artist's notations. They provide insight into Dan Flavin's working process and are an indispensable resource for a thorough understanding of his work.The exhibition will also include one large fluorescent work from 1974: untitled (in memory of my father, D. Nicholas Flavin, 1891-1974).

The exhibition of drawings is related to a significant large scale project Dan Flavin designed for the Chinati Foundation. This work will consist of fluorescent light barriers to be installed in six buildings on the museum's grounds, illuminating their interiors with different constellations and intensities of blue, green, yellow and pink. The initial plans for this project date back to 1981 and once realized, this permanent work will be Dan Flavin's largest. The museum expects to complete the work by the fall of 1999. An illustrated catalogue accompanying the exhibition with a text by Marianne Stockebrand will be published before the show's conclusion.

THE CHINATI FOUNDATION

Marfa, TX 79843

www.chinati.org

Dan Flavin at Margo Leavin Gallery, Los Angeles - A Tribute Exhibition

Dan Flavin: A Tribute 

Margo Leavin Gallery, Los Angeles

18 January – 22 February 1997

Margo Leavin Gallery presents an exhibition of work by DAN FLAVIN (1933 - 1996). The exhibition has been organized in tribute to the artist, who died in December 1996, and includes signature works dating from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Dan Flavin’s ground-breaking work used commercial fluorescent lights to create environments exploring light, color and space. Included in the exhibition is an example from Dan Flavin’s seminal 1960s body of work, Monuments to V. Tatlin, which paid homage to Vladimir Tatlin, the turn of the century avant-garde Soviet artist and architect. In addition, the exhibition features other important works from the 1960s through the 1980s, including a 1987 work created in honor of Donald Judd.

Dan Flavin: A Tribute marks the third exhibition of Flavin’s work at Margo Leavin Gallery.

MARGO LEAVIN GALLERY

812 North Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069