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agosto 11, 2016 - Moma

The Museum of Modern Art presents major U.S. exhibition exploring the work of influential German artist Kai Althoff

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The Museum of Modern Art presents major U.S. exhibition exploring the work of influential German artist #kaialthoff.
Kai Althoff: and then leave me to the common swifts (und dann überlasst mich den Mauerseglern)
September 18, 2016–January 22, 2017
The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art Gallery, sixth floor
Press Preview: Tuesday, September 13, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
NEW YORK, August 9, 2016—The Museum of Modern Art presents #kaialthoff: and then leave me to the common swifts (und dann überlasst mich den Mauerseglern), the artist’s first major monographic exhibition at a US institution in a decade, from September 18, 2016, through January 22, 2017. #kaialthoff: and then leave me to the common swifts is organized by Laura Hoptman, Curator, and Margaret Ewing, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Painting and Sculpture.
Kai Althoff (b. 1966, Germany) is one of the most significant artists of his generation, which came to maturity at the turn of the 21st century. Drawn from public and private collections worldwide, the selection of more than 200 works for this show was made by Althoff himself, who describes the exhibition in the following manner:
Within an environment envisioned by the artist upon seeing the gallery allotted to him, he arranges work stemming from his early youth to the very present, in a manner of a child being handed toys, new and old: some are cherished and idolized, some are semi-precious in rank, some are abandoned and neglected in slumber of increasing hate generating towards them. Some are loved to the utmost, so much he’d want to hold onto them until the very last moment before death, and beyond.
The work being treated as such will be comprised of fragments of former larger scale environments, drawings, paintings, objects found and fabricated. In ‘and then leave me to the common swifts’, nothing is an attempt of recreating the original composition of when these works were displayed each for its first time. Instead the artist gives in to whatever his innate forces originating in his emotions command him to do upon the encounter with this work, his very own, for the most part. The result is further also constrained by time or its lack, and the pressure created by complex sociological processes, which sometimes leads the artist to surrender to a fatalism otherwise strongly fought.
SPONSORSHIP:
Generous funding for the exhibition is provided by The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art.
Special thanks to Craig Robins and Jackie Soffer.
Additional support is provided by the #moma Annual Exhibition Fund.
PUBLICATION:
Kai Althoff: and then leave me to the common swifts is an artist’s book edited by #kaialthoff, with texts by Rita Kersting, DovBer Naiditch, Yair Oelbaum, Constantin Rothkopf, Robert Storr, and Rein Wolfs, and an interview between the artist and Laura Hoptman. Created by the artist, the unconventional and lavishly produced book presents Althoff’s work in all mediums from throughout his twenty-five year career and features both black-and-white illustrations and full- color tip-ins. Contributions by scholars, art professionals, and friends of the artist offer multiple perspectives on Althoff’s iconographically rich work. Hardcover, $60. ISBN 978-1-63345-018-9. Available at #moma stores and momastore.org. Distributed through ARTBOOK|D.A.P. in the United States and Canada, and through Thames & Hudson elsewhere.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS:
Perspectives on #kaialthoff: and then leave me to the common swifts
Select Wednesdays in September, October, and November, 6:30 p.m.
Exhibition galleries, 6th floor
On the occasion of #kaialthoff: and then leave me to the common swifts, the first major monographic exhibition of the artist’s work at a U.S. institution in a decade, artists, writers and curators lead the public on intimate tours through the exhibition galleries, sharing their personal and artistic perspectives on the artist’s work. Participants include artist, critic and curator Robert Storr; close friend of the artist, Yair Oelbaum; writer and artist Angus Cook; and curator of the exhibition Laura Hoptman.
Guest speakers:
Sept. 28: Robert Storr Oct. 5: Angus Cook Oct. 19 Yair Oelbaum Nov. 9: Laura Hoptman
Tickets for this program will be available beginning August 28. Tickets ($15; $10 members and corporate members; $5 students, seniors, and staff of other museums) can be purchased on #moma.org or at the information desk, at the Film desk after 4:00 p.m., or at the Education and Research Building reception desk on the day of the program.