Modern Physics

Alex Monteith, Bas Jan Ader, Eddie Clemens, Hanna Schwarz, John Ward Knox, Philip Dadson, Shaun Gladwell.

Curated by Stephen Cleland

'Bas Jan Ader was a master of gravity. But when he fell, all he would say was that 'it was because gravity made itself master over him''. Tacita Dean

Modern Physics features a selection of international and local artists who investigate heightened perceptions of gravity. Presenting seven projects that explore intersections between sculpture and performance, the exhibition focuses on states of equilibrium which are both performed within sculptures and represented within video-documented actions.

In physics the term equilibrium describes a body or object in a state of unaccelerated motion, a condition in which all of the acting influences on an object are cancelled out by each other resulting in a stable system. Yet the meaning of equilibrium within Phenomenology also provides an alternative vantage point to consider gravity-based experimentation within performance-based video. Here equilibrium defines a point where physical skills develop beyond reason based learning and intuition takes over. Modern Physics takes interest in this intuitive phase of mastering a physical skill, in riding a bike or driving a car, which as Hubert Dreyfus argues reveals a level of proficiency that 'seems to develop if, and only if, experience is assimilated in an atheoretical way and intuitive behavior replaces reasoned responses.'

The exhibition includes Australia's representative for the 2009 Venice Biennale Shaun Gladwell, performance artists Bas Jan Ader, Hanna Schwarz and Philip Dadson, and sculptural works by John Ward-Knox and Eddie Clemens. The exhibition also presents for the first time an epic collaboration between Auckland artist Alex Monteith and the acrobatic pilot group the Royal New Zealand Air Force Red Checkers. Mounting cameras to each plane, Monteith captures their jointly choreographed aerobatic routine complete with five-plane double loops, barrel rolls and the Red Checkers trademark spaghetti-break maneuver. Monteith's massive five-channel video installation enlarges the discrepancies between the response times of each pilot, making the invisible forces acting on each aircraft highly perceptible.

Image credit: Alex Monteith, production shot for Composition with Royal New Zealand Air Force Red Checkers for five channel video installation 2009, five channel video and sound installation. Photography by Sarah Munro
Filming and production commissioned by TVNZ's New Art Lands Series
Installment initiated by Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts with support from The University of Auckland
Special thanks to the Aotearoa Digital Arts Network, The Physics Room and Artspace, Auckland

Opening preview:
Saturday 10th October, 2pm

Get here for free with the art bus!
1.30pm meet outside ARTSPACE at 300 Karagahape Rd
3.30pm leaves Te Tuhi returning to ARTSPACE at 4pm
Art bus DJ: Jon Bywater

Public Programmes Associated with Modern Physics
Artist talk: Philip Dadson, Thursday 15 October, 1.30
Artist talk: Alex Monteith, Thursday 29 October, 1.30
Artist talk: John Ward Knox, Thursday 26 November, 1.30

Exhibition associated screening: The Film Archive, Auckland, view the te tuhi website for details soon.

Audio

Te Tuhi has iPod audio guides available for many exhibitions and events.

Te Tuhi's Director James McCarthy talks to Auckland performance artist Philip Dadson about his work in the exhibition Modern Physics.