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Open City: Tools for Public Action

March 1, 2007- April 7, 2007

Aram Bartholl, BORF, Graffiti Research Lab, Institute for Applied Autonomy, Improv Everywhere, Mark Jenkins, KATSU, KR, Object Orange, Leon Reid, Matthias Wermke, Krzysztof Wodiczko

Eyebeam Art & Technology Center

540 W 21st St

Eyebeam launches its 2007 exhibition program in its 10th Anniversary year with a daring and exciting project exploring ideas of technology and innovation in public space. Open City, is an exhibition and series of public programs that focus on the innovations of graffiti, street art and urban intervention. Choosing not to bring this work, intended for the streets, into the gallery, Eyebeam has asked a NYC and international roster of artists and collaborative groups to present their process via video documentation of work in the gallery alongside displays of the actual tools used to generate the works on the streets. A series of screenings, presentations and workshops exploring tool building, tactics, techniques and approaches to communication by any means necessary within the urban context, will accompany the exhibition and turn Eyebeam into an active and participatory environment for the duration of the show. This exhibition is on view Mar. 1 - Apr. 7, Tues-Sat 12-6pm. Eyebeam is located at 540 W. 21st Street (between 10th & 11th Aves, Subway - 23rd Street C, E) and all workshops and activities take place there unless otherwise noted.

Invited participants include:

- Aram Bartholl (Berlin) - BORF (Washington D.C.) - Graffiti Research Lab (NYC) - Institute for Applied Autonomy (USA) - Improv Everywhere (NYC) - Mark Jenkins (Washington D.C.) - KATSU (NYC) - KR (NYC) - Object Orange (Detroit) - Leon Reid (NYC) - Matthias Wermke (Berlin) - Krzysztof Wodiczko (PL/NYC)

Using the activities of Graffiti Reseach Lab, a collaboration formed in Eyebeam’s R&D OpenLab in 2006, as a departure point, Open City examines graffiti as a form of action more akin to performance than visual art. By displaying only documentation and artifacts (tools and evidence of them in action) in the gallery, Open City strives to keep graffiti projects from being treated as precious objects and highlights the thought process and actions of its practitioners rather than the physical evidence of what is left behind.

Open City uses a broad definition of the term ‘graffiti’, encompassing anythingwhich happens in public space that doesn’t ask for permission. Projects included in the exhibition range from spray paint to digital projection, urban pranks, robotics, site specific sculpture and more. Materials and technologies range from high-tech projectors and custom machinery to simple homemade markers and inks, innovative uses of low-cost materials, the internet, hacking and re-appropriation of existing urban systems.

Participants in the exhibition as well as Eyebeam residents and fellows will lead workshops on a how to create laser cut stencils, weld and install work in urban spaces, and fabricate audio devices for urban broadcast. A “DIY Wall” (do-it-yourself, destroy-it-yourself) will be constructed in Eyebeam’s Open Prototyping Space to test out tools developed in the workshops. Eyebeam’s façade will become a venue or launching pad for an (uncurated) ongoing collaboration between the exhibiting artists, workshop participants and the public. The exhibition and the dialogue around the work changes and evolves over the duration of its presentation. The intention is to have these activities foster a program that encourages interaction between artist and audience, mirroring the exchange that takes place within the broader graffiti community and across net communities.



Books and DVDs related to artists in this show

Location map  Gallery Eyebeam Art & Technology Center Address 540 W 21st St New York (Chelsea) NY, 10011 United States Phone 212-937-6580 Fax 212-937-6582 Hours Tue-Sat 12-6

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