Kathy Acker Exhibition at ICA London Critiqued for Emphasizing Persona Over Literary Work
The exhibition titled 'I, I, I, I, I, I, I, Kathy Acker' was held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London from 1 May to 4 August 2019, emphasizing Acker's personal journey over her literary contributions. It included a timeline showcasing her publications, plywood mazes, and display cases featuring manuscripts such as 'Great Expectations' (1982) and Julia Kristeva's 'Powers of Horror' (1980). Archival materials featured Acker's readings for Channel 4 and a 1974 video, 'The Blue Tape,' with Alan Sondheim. The exhibit linked Acker to modern queer artists and writers. Critics remarked that it sidestepped her intricate ties to appropriation art, offering a desexualized queer perspective while underscoring her critique of originality and focus on bourgeois heterosexuality.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'I, I, I, I, I, I, I, Kathy Acker' held at Institute of Contemporary Arts, London
- Dates: 1 May – 4 August 2019
- Featured manuscripts including 'Great Expectations' (1982) and annotated books like Julia Kristeva's 'Powers of Horror' (1980)
- Included video works: 'The Blue Tape' (1974) with Alan Sondheim and Channel 4 readings
- Connected Acker to contemporary artists: Every Ocean Hughes, Candice Lin, Patrick Staff, Jamie Crewe
- Mentioned writers Isabel Waidner and D. Mortimer
- Critique highlights focus on Acker's persona over literary work, influenced by biographies by Chris Kraus (2017) and Olivia Laing (2018)
- Acker's stated rejection of originality and interest in appropriation art, citing Sherrie Levine
Entities
Artists
- Kathy Acker
- Alan Sondheim
- Every Ocean Hughes
- Candice Lin
- Patrick Staff
- Jamie Crewe
- Isabel Waidner
- D. Mortimer
- Sherrie Levine
- Richard Prince
- Julia Kristeva
- Chris Kraus
- Olivia Laing
Institutions
- Institute of Contemporary Arts
- Channel 4
- ArtReview
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom