"But as a document" to be premiered at Bucharest's National Museum of Contemporary Art

But as a document is a collaboration between artist Alex Mirutziu and choreographer and dancer Pär Andersson in which compiled lines from two internationally renown writers Graham Foust (USA) and Karl Larsson (SE) are written in Sweden Sans typeface and transferred from plain-page to plain-space. The performer recreates a live reading, shedding the meaning of stanzas, by grabbing words with their anatomical technicality. According to Jesper Robinell - head of design at Söderhavet agency, with Stefan Hattenbach, responsible with the official Swedish typeface ): "I don't think this has even been done before. When Alex contacted us, we were first baffled by the idea of making a dance out of a typeface. Now we are still baffled but also impressed and honoured that our design could inspire someone to create a dance based on it." 

More about the exhibition in which "But as a document" will be presented see below.

Cătălin Ilie, I talked to the wall and the wall was impressed (Studies for a better understanding), 2015-2016, drawing and sound installation, mixed-media

I’M THE INVISIBLE MAN

Chapter II of “The White Dot and The Black Cube”, an exhibition project in six parts

Opening: Thursday, February 18th, 7 PM
February 19th – April 10th, 2016

The National Museum, of Contemporary Art - 4th floor, Bucharest

Curatorial impulse: Anca Verona Mihuleţ
Response: Diana Marincu

Artists selected by Diana Marincu: Michele Bressan (RO), Andreea Ciobîcă (RO), Norbert Costin (RO/SE), Cătălin Ilie (RO/DE), Alex Mirutziu (RO) + Pär Andersson (SE), Esra Oezen (DE), Cristian Rusu (RO)

MNAC coordinator: Mălina Ionescu
Architect: Attila Kim

Curatorial intro: The curatorial method employed in devising “The White Dot and The Black Cube” as an exhibition in six parts takes its starting point from the investigation of three essential display formulas: two group exhibitions, two duo-shows and two personal exhibitions. Each of these formulas is enhanced by the dialogue between the two curators and by their exchanges with the artists and the museum as an institution. The group exhibitions were conceived following a theoretical impulse that one of the curators transmits to the other; the dual ones by the curators assuming one of the two conflicting theoretical positions; and the personal ones through a triangular dialogue.

Set off by the imperceptible reality and symbolic processuality of the artistic gesture, I’m the Invisible Man, chapter II of the curatorial project “The White Dot and The Black Cube”, discusses the idea of invisibility. The conceptual approach of this exhibition comprises several layers of the relationship with image and matter, which most often constitute the visual hooks of a display. The artists invited to reflect upon this subject perceived the sensitive alteration of reality, which they either provoked themselves or recorded non-invasively, or adopted as such, thus opening the creative discourse towards suspense and coincidence.

The duality of the interpretation of the invisible integrates both its potential to protect visible matter and the fragility produced by erasing an object from space. We believe that both can constitute possible frames of interpreting the unity and discontinuity of a curatorial enterprise.
The invited artists commit themselves to the moment at which the invisible blurs the visible, at which certain planes coincide, at which the images are superimposed perfectly – man’s construction over nature’s construction, the artificial image over the natural one, and reason over intuition; the moment at which the visible body represents both a possible weapon and a vulnerability deriving from public discourses on marginality; the moment at which the white noise of the quotidian insinuates itself as “tense” materiality into our lives; and at which the residual frames of perception reach the centre of the visual field.

Monday Art Project with Alex Mirutziu

The conversation between Alex Mirutziu and Olga Krzeszowiec, Malmsten took place in Stockholm on April 26, 2015.

The object of this encounter with Olga Krzeszowiec is the collaboration I made with Swedish design agency Söderhavet, and the upshot of it -- the project called "But as a document" (with Pär Andersson). At that time I was an artist in residence at IASPIS Konstnärsnämnden, Stockholm; part of my research was dedicated to design, and the politics of reading and writing, thus the interview embody these two paths as well.

"My practice is geared towards understanding where am I and what the word is made of. To clarify is important, especially the matter of presence. I want my works to function, so to speak, to intertwine into a relevant network of idea, to help build a climate for what is to come, because a work of art is never only a work of art, it is so much more than that." - Alex Mirutziu

The Visionaries by C-print

C-print proudly presented this February a feature highlighting four artists who in their view are true visionaries in their artistic practices and outlook: Sophie Mörner, Jacob Dahlgren, Anton Alvarez and Alex Mirutziu. 

*Follow the minds...

Sophie Mörner

Sophie Mörner is a NYC-based Swedish photographer, gallerist, curator and publisher. Initially setting out to pursue creative writing, she eventually went on to pursue photography at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. In 2004, Mörner founded Capricious Magazine to create a platform for herself, friends and other underexposed photographers. Outspoken about her passion to create opportunities for emerging peers, Mörner has successfully been running a tiny empire under the Capricious brand; Capricious Publishing and Capricious 88 Gallery (recently renamed into Company) on the Lower East Side. In a considerably short period of time, the gallery has made its mark by hosting highly publicized shows such as the first ever solo exhibition of noted Canadian photographer and new C-print favourite Petra Collins. 

Openly queer, Mörner's own practice puts lesbian love to the forefront, a well-needed perspective which undoutedly is underepresented in the arts. Her work which often embodies a sense of joie-de-vivre, sees her own community of friends and peers in front of her lens. Intimate, personal and highly evocative. Sophie has previously exhibited in places like Brisbane and Tokyo and her work appeared in notable publications such as i-D, Dazed and Confused and Vice. Later this year, Sophie will participate in a group show, Yesterday we wanted to be the sky, we are curating at Kamarade in Stockholm. 

Succesfully juggling her own practice with her artistic ventures while staying true to her core values, we're absolutely delighted to have Sophie as one of our four selected visionaries. 

www.sophiemorner.com 


Anton Alvarez

A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, Anton Alvarez has in the last couple of years proven to offer one of the most distinctive and unique artistries emerging out of Sweden, with a practice intersecting design and contemporary art. His ingenious invention The Thread Wrapping Machine; a tool allowing various materials to be joined together with coloured and glue-coated thread in the creation of delectable furniture and design objects, has garnered sensational and well-merited publicity globally. 

Anton was notably also one of the very first artists to appear on the C-print site. Last year Anton presented solo shows at Gallery Libby Sellers in London and Gustavsbergs Konsthall and was also exhibited by Salon 94 at last year's editions of Frieze London and Art Basel Miami. Opening tonight (April 1) at Salon 94 Freemans in NYC is Wrapsody, Anton's first solo show with the gallery. 

www.antonalvarez.com 


Jacob Dahlgren

For those acquainted with Swedish contemporary art, Jacob Dahlgren needs no further introduction belonging to our most celebrated artists. Breaking the confines of labels and disciplines, Jacob’s disparate body of work intersects Conceptual art, Minimal Art, Abstract Art and Pop Art, blurring the lines between sculpture, painting and installation. 

Noted in particular for ingenious geometrical, symmetrical and linear presentations appropriating utilitarian objects and mundane materials, his works exhibit a foray into colours and abstract patterns unparalleled by his peers. On the notion of an intimate link between the artist and his craft, Jacob Dahlgren’s penchant for colours and linearity notably presents itself in the long-term ongoing project Peinture Abstraite which could fairly be attributed as a 24/7 performance where life becomes art and art becomes life. It appears that Jacob has been wearing striped tops everyday since 2001 from a collection of over 1000 tops…Whether he’s using school pencils, weight machines or table lights, Jacob’s presentations always offer a prima facie case of the clever inventiveness of the human mind which sets Jacob apart as a visionary in our book. 

Jacob is represented by Andréhn-Schiptjenko in Stockholm and exhibits as well with Workplace Gallery (Gateshead/London) and Galerie Anhava (Helsinki). 


www.jacobdahlgren.com


Alex Mirutziu

Currently a resident at IASPIS in Stockholm, Alex Mirutziu, dubbed a l’enfant terrible of his generation in Romania, was once described to us by his gallerist Daria Dumitrescu as “a brilliant, flamboyant mind, juggling an overdressed aesthetic and an exquisite imagery.” For an artist beginning his career performing gender and questioning the power systems confining society and their allusions to language, ideology and discourse, Alex has been well-ahead of the curve as one of the Romanian artists springing out of Cluj; the Romanian epicenter of art. Between his performance and installation works, Alex always brings a probing attention to intellectual and philosophical thought and is currently in the process of preparing a presentation for the upcoming Venice Biennale. 

Alex Mirutziu is represented by Galeria SABOT in Cluj and exhibits as with Rüdiger Schöttle (Munich) and Barbara Seiler Gallery (Zurich)

Text/video/photo courtesy C-print

A possible anthology of signature, authorship, creativity and labour

"A possible anthology of signature, authorship, creativity and labour"

www.luciefontaine.com

Alex Mirutziu: What is the Reality of Never? at IASPIS, Stockholm

ALEX MIRUTZIU : WHAT IS THE REALITY OF NEVER?

27 mai – 12 iunie 2012

Studioul Luciei Fontaine, Iaspis, Maria Skolgata 83, Stockholm

Vernisaj duminică, 27 mai, ora 18.00

Performance de Alex Mirutziu: Five moments of Silence for Pending Work #7

Institutul Cultural Român de la Stockholm şi Lucie Fontaine prezintă prima expoziţie individuală a artistului Alex Mirutziu în Suedia, găzduită de Lucie Fontaine în studioul său de la Iaspis, transformat într-un satelit al spaţiului expoziţional pe care aceasta îl conduce în Milano. Expoziţia “What is the Reality of Never?” prezintă o selecţie de lucrări ale artistului Alex Mirutziu, incluzând performance-ul Five moments of Silence for Pending Work #7, ce va fi prezentat în premieră la vernisaj. Performance-ul este acompaniat de următorul discurs:

Pending works reside in few answering curves of theory. They are irreducible to any medium and their room is multifaceted and complex. This body of work explores the idea of classicism and the establishment of drama, stressing how the work makes it or doesn’t make it through the play, buffering in the instantaneous present.

There are two important conceptual triggers related to the pending works machinery. The first question is the reliability of the event and its performativity within a fluctuating timeline. The second refers to the cathexis of time and action versus duration, anti-duration and political evidence. Ultimately the chief interest of the pending works lies in the dialectic between evidence and the event as transformative of each other. (Alex Mirutziu)

Interesul lui Alex Mirutziu pentru performance şi instalaţii a dus la crearea unui teren ontologic în cadrul lucrărilor din seria Pending Works and Scotopolitic Objects. Mirutziu este primul artist care a format un colectiv cu un hiper-obiect şi anume artistul însuşi, aflat la vârsta de 29 de ani. The Artist and Himself at 29 subliniază încă o data înclinaţia lui Mirutziu pentru studiul existenţei, lucrările sale opunându-se limitărilor prezente prin încercarea de a defini realitatea infinitului temporal.

Alex Mirutziu: What is the Reality of Never? este parte a proiectului Body of Work dezvoltat de Lucie Fontaine în colaborare cu Iaspis. Pe parcursul rezidenţei sale la Iaspis, Lucie Fontaine găzduieşte o serie de discuţii şi va organiza o serie de expoziţii având la bază teme precum condiţia autorului şi autenticitatea operei de artă. Toate activităţile vor avea loc la Iaspis, Maria Skolgata 83, Stockholm, în studioul Luciei Fontaine. Anterior expoziţiei lui Alex Mirutziu Lucie Fontaine mai organizează proiecte şi discuţii cu Agnieszka Kurant, Claire Fontaine, Daniella Isamit Morales, Alice Tomaselli & Alice Mandelli şi Josefine Wikström.

Alex Mirutziu (n. 1981) locuieşte şi lucrează la Sibiu, România. În 2011 a avut o rezidenţă la The Glass Factory, Boda Glasbruk, Suedia, unde a colaborat cu artista suedeză Åsa Jungnelius. A avut expoziţii personale la Barbara Seiler Galerie, Zurich (2011), Mihai Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles (2010), Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Munchen (2010) şi Galeria Sabot, Cluj-Napoca (2009). În prezent participă la expoziţia de grup “European Travelers – Art from Cluj Today” de la centrul de artă Műcsarnok din Budapesta.

Lucie Fontaine este un personaj fictiv în numele căruia acţionează un grup de artişti, curatori, colecţionari, editori şi scriitori, ce se autointitulează angajaţi ai Luciei Fontaine, aducând astfel în discuţie problema identităţii artistice. Prin urmare, Lucie Fontaine se prezintă ca un angajator în deomeniul artei, şi prin relaţia cu angajaţii săi, îşi permite să fie activă ca artist, curator, dealer, colecţionar, editor, scriitor etc.

Acest proiect este o colaborare între ICR Stockholm, Lucie Fontaine şi Iaspis.

[EN]

ALEX MIRUTZIU : WHAT IS THE REALITY OF NEVER?

MAY 27 - JUNE 12 2012

Lucie Fontaine and the Romanian Cultural Institute in Stockholm are proud to present the fourth exhibition at Lucie Fontaine’s Stockholm satellite, located at Iaspis, on Maria Skolgata 83. Entitled “What is the reality of never?” the exhibition presents a selection of works by Romanian artist Alex Mirutziu, who for this occasion will perform a new work entitled Five moments of Silence for Pending Work #7 (2012). The performance is accompanied by the following synopsis:

Pending works reside in few answering curves of theory. They are irreducible to any medium and their room is multifaceted and complex. This body of work explores the idea of classicism and the establishment of drama, stressing how the work makes it or doesn’t make it through the play, buffering in the instantaneous present. 

There are two important conceptual triggers related to the pending works machinery. The first question is the reliability of the event and its performativity within a fluctuating timeline. The second refers to the cathexis of time and action versus duration, anti-duration and political evidence. Ultimately the chief interest of the pending works lies in the dialectic between evidence and the event as transformative of each other.

On one hand the artist’s extensive engagement with performance and installations aims to open an ontological terrain inside his so-called “Pending Works and Scotopolitic Objects.” He is the only artist to have made a group with a hyper-object, namely with himself at 29 and exhibit as a collective for the first time at Barbara Seiler Gallery in Zurich. The artist and himself at 29 is a medium. None is superior to the other and none can comprehend the fullness of atoms that shape each other. The biggest question is who arrived at whom first, faster or even at all? The question therefore rests upon distance. Is there any distance separating them? Can there be a possible distance between them, or is the artist at 29 years old collapsing into the artist now? Considering these projects one of the critical aspects in his work is that it resists closure by asking: What is the reality of never?

Alex Mirutziu is an artist based in Sibiu, Romania. He had solo shows at Barbara Seiler Galerie, Zurich (2011), Mihai Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles (2010), Galerie Rüdiger Schöttle, Munich (2010) and Galeria Sabot, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (2009). His work is included in “European Travelers – Art from Cluj Today,” currently on view at Műcsarnok | Kusthalle Budapest.

The show is made possible through the support of Iaspis and the Romanian Cultural Institute in Stockholm. If you need further information please contact Lucie Fontaine’s employees: employee@luciefontaine.com.