Exercises in Style: Collective Exhibition at A plus A, Venice
The group show 'Exercises in Style' at A plus A in Venice, curated by the duo NOVEL (Alun Rowlands and Matt Williams), explores narrative fragmentation and the rational, abstract processes of knowledge. Spread over two floors, the exhibition features drawings, sculptures, projections, videos, and paintings by Helen Cammock, Keren Cytter, Loretta Fahrenholz, Anthony D Green, R.B. Kitaj, Ghislaine Leung, Josef Strau, and Bob van der Wal. Fahrenholz's installation 'Story in Reverse' (2018) projects slides of a comic adaptation of Ilse Aichinger's 'Mirror Story' (1949), while van der Wal's 'Study Notes' (2016–19) presents diagrammatic studies on power, identity, and capitalism. Rowlands notes the show's interest in the 'imaginary turn' in artists' writing and works, framing the exhibition as a series of acts that function as a form of publication and community.
Key facts
- Exhibition titled 'Exercises in Style' at A plus A in Venice.
- Curated by duo NOVEL (Alun Rowlands and Matt Williams).
- Features works by eight artists: Helen Cammock, Keren Cytter, Loretta Fahrenholz, Anthony D Green, R.B. Kitaj, Ghislaine Leung, Josef Strau, Bob van der Wal.
- Loretta Fahrenholz's 'Story in Reverse' (2018) uses slides of comic adaptations of Ilse Aichinger's 'Mirror Story' (1949).
- Bob van der Wal's 'Study Notes' (2016–19) includes diagrammatic studies on power, identity, and capitalism.
- The exhibition is installed on two floors.
- Alun Rowlands described the show as a series of acts and a form of publication, distribution, and community.
- The show references Nietzsche via R.B. Kitaj, warning about the power of falsehood.
- The exhibition includes drawings, sculptures, projections, videos, and paintings.
- The show opened in 2019.
Entities
Artists
- Helen Cammock
- Keren Cytter
- Loretta Fahrenholz
- Anthony D Green
- R.B. Kitaj
- Ghislaine Leung
- Josef Strau
- Bob van der Wal
- Alun Rowlands
- Matt Williams
- Ilse Aichinger
Institutions
- A plus A
- Neue Alte Brücke
- Artribune
- Isisuf – Istituto Internazionale di Studi sul Futurismo
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Frankfurt
- Germany