Marcel Dzama's 2011 Exhibition at David Zwirner Showcases Evolving Multimedia Practice
Marcel Dzama's showcase, "Behind Every Curtain," took place at the David Zwirner Gallery from February 17 to March 19, 2011. This exhibition introduced new drawings, dioramas, and films, enriching his artistic repertoire. Renowned for his whimsical yet somber figures, Dzama presented intricate compositions alongside dioramas featuring red and gray characters. The highlight was "A Game of Chess," a fourteen-minute black-and-white film paying tribute to Marcel Duchamp, merging Dada influences with Bauhaus design. Although his paintings did not achieve the same acclaim, his dioramas and films broadened his narrative style. The arrangement of the works received criticism for making some pieces feel like mere props, yet Dzama's artistic evolution indicates a bright future ahead.
Key facts
- Marcel Dzama's exhibition "Behind Every Curtain" ran from February 17 to March 19, 2011
- The show was held at David Zwirner Gallery at 525 West 19th Street in New York City
- Dzama is known for intricate figurative drawings featuring characters like walking trees, owls, and cowboys
- New drawings in the exhibition showed increased complexity with adjoined paper sheets and crowded compositions
- Dioramas in the exhibition assembled red and gray figures against white architectural structures
- The exhibition included the film "A Game of Chess," a fourteen-minute homage to Marcel Duchamp
- Dzama co-founded The Royal Art Lodge artist collective in Winnipeg during his formative years
- In 2009, Dzama directed a music video with Patrick Daughters for the band Department of Eagles
Entities
Artists
- Marcel Dzama
- Marcel Duchamp
- Oscar Schlemmer
- Guy Maddin
- Patrick Daughters
Institutions
- David Zwirner Gallery
- The Royal Art Lodge
- Department of Eagles
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Winnipeg
- Canada