[Nettime-bold] tesla researcher keith sonnier in location one

["geert lovink" <geert@xs4all.nl>]

FRACTURED OXYGEN = OZONE
KEITH SONNIER

September 20 - November 28, 2001
Opening Reception: September 20th, 6-8 PM

Location One 
26 Greene Street NYC 10013, Between Grand and Canal
Subway: Canal Street (N, R, 6, A, C, E, J, M, Z)
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 12 - 6 PM
(212) 334-3347 
www.location1.org

Location One is happy to announce an exhibition of selected work created
by the internationally celebrated artist Keith Sonnier. The exhibition
comprises six pieces that result from Sonnier's investigations into the
work of Nikola Tesla during the period 1990-1997. The Tesla series
"captures" raw electricity in its most spectacular form by stringing
copper wires and causing the current to flow and spark between them. 
 
Keith Sonnier, born in Mamou, Louisiana, gained international
recognition 30 years ago with his sculptures and installations using
neon and argon lights. His most spectacular work in Europe is the
one-kilometer long "Lichtweg," which runs the entire length of the
Munich airport. Although neon and fluorescent light have been an
important part of his artistic vocabulary, Sonnier's work distinguishes
itself above all by the variety of materials used, and by its formal as
well as thematic complexity. 
 
Beginning with his earliest explorations with light, sound, video, and
live and taped broadcasts, Sonnier has engaged in a constant
investigation into the process of exchange which constitutes
communication. As early as 1975, he created a 2-way open channel
performance event connecting New York and Los Angeles via NASA CTS
satellite. He explores sometimes by redefining the functions of the
transmitter/receiver, sometimes by indicating and reconfiguring elements
of the process, but always with an awareness of the energy fields in
which we live and maneuver. Selections of early video work will be
presented as part of the exhibition, both on the Location One website
and in the gallery.

Keith Sonnier was among the first artists to incorporate technology into
his work. By making the communication process an integral part of the
art context, he forever changed the environment of contemporary art.
Sonnier is a seminal figure at Location One, as our central purpose is
to encourage artists from different media and different cultures to
experiment with advanced technological tools and delivery systems. He
continues to explore technology with the careful tenacity of a research
scientist and the vision of a poet.

"These are the perfect images of 'the medium as the message.'" Flash
Light, 6/01/97

Location One (www.location1.org) is a new not-for profit art center,
which fosters the convergence of all types of creative expression. We
maintain a gallery space suitable for every form of performance and
exhibition, and within this space, multimedia net-broadcasting
facilities that allow us to webcast a 24-hour stream of both live and
archived events. Our International Residency Program invites artists
from other countries to experiment with emerging technologies. Location
One is an exploration space for continual creative discovery.

 


_______________________________________________
Nettime-bold mailing list
Nettime-bold@nettime.org
http://www.nettime.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/nettime-bold