D’Amelio Terras, New York
February 28 – April 25, 2009
Matthew Barney, Jedediah Caesar, Nicole Cherubini, Jessica Diamond, Robert Gober, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Leslie Hewitt, Karen Kilimnik, Louise Lawler, Zoe Leonard, Demetrius Oliver, Steven Parrino, Heather Rowe, Sam Samore, Noah Sheldon, Kiki Smith, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Sara VanDerBeek, Sue Williams, Fred Wilson, and Christopher Wool
The exhibition 1992009 is motivated by historical synchronicities between the years 1992 and 2009 and brings together content-driven art made during times of cultural upheaval. Both periods represent a transition from Republican to Democratic administrations, a stagnating war in the Middle East and extraordinary moments of fiscal failure. The early 90s witnessed the emergence of poignant, introspective artists who address universals through ‘the everyday’. This period was also especially formative in shaping the viewpoints of the gallery owners.
Prompted by current circumstances and a desire to take stock of the gallery’s program, 1992009 compares emerging artists of the early 90s with emerging artists represented by D’Amelio Terras. The exhibition presents new art from these two tumultuous moments, re-invigorated with new potential and a critical response to art history. These artists channel personal experience into visceral hand-built sculpture and direct imagery after periods of post-production excess.
1992009 emphasizes earnest themes in art practices that remain resilient. Meaningful ideas have germinated in times of contraction, free from the enticement of an indulgent market. The silver lining of this moment may be a slower pace of making and looking at art.
