Bas Jan Ader's 2016 Metro Pictures Exhibition Explores Gravity, Absence, and the Artist's 1975 Disappearance

From June 21 to August 5, 2016, Metro Pictures Gallery in New York showcased an exhibition dedicated to Bas Jan Ader's artistry. The display included photographs, two wall-drawing installations, and two short films, emphasizing Ader's recurring motifs of falling, gravity, and personal narrative. Ader's mysterious disappearance while sailing the Atlantic in 1975 adds an intriguing layer to his art. The exhibition featured 18 black-and-white photographs from the first part of his trilogy, notable works such as 'Please don’t leave me' (1969) and 'Untitled (Tea Party)' (1972), along with videos 'Primary Time' (1974) and 'Thoughts unsaid, then forgotten' (1973). Additionally, 'Untitled (The Elements)' (1971/2003) depicted Ader holding a sign that read 'Fire,' blending Hollywood influences with absurdity to examine themes of action and inaction.