Modern Ruins brings together the practices of four artists who through very different methods create an archaeology of the present.
Croatian artist David Maljkovic’s disarming photographic montage continues his exploration into the ongoing legacy of modernist architecture in the former Yugoslavian state. His work, like that of Goshka Macuga, excavates recent history while transforming its ongoing meanings and interpretation. Here, Macuga presents a sculpture that pits the documentary impression of the photo alongside that of fossilized wood. Drawing inspiration in part from the American photographs of 19th century classicist and art historian Aby Warburg, his work also helps inform a new poster by Abraham Cruzvillegas, created during his recent residency in Washington D.C. While Cruzvillegas captures minute and intimate expressive gestures, the work of Dr. Lakra takes this to a further extreme. Best known for his satirical tattooing of found cups, dolls, vintage magazines, here he is showing new collages inspired by the paintings of Arcimboldo.
ABRAHAM CRUZVILLEGAS (born Mexico City, 1968, lives and works in Mexico City and Paris) recent solo shows include Autoconstrucción: The Soundtrack, Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow, 2008 and a residency and research fellowship at Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. In 2009: The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers, CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, San Francisco, Bienal de la Habana, Cuba and a solo exhibition in June at Thomas Dane Gallery, London in June.
DR. LAKRA (born Mexico, 1972, lives and works in Mexico City and Oaxaca, Mexico) recent group shows include: Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art, Barbican Art Gallery, 2008 and Goth: Reality of The Departed World, Yokohama Museum of Art, Japan, 2007-8. In September 2009 he will have solo shows at kurimanzutto, Mexico City and Kate MacGarry.
GOSHKA MACUGA (born 1967 in Poland, lives and works in London) in 2008 Macuga was nominated for the Turner Prize, following her participation in When Things Cast No Shadow, 5th Berlin Biennial for Contemporary Art, 2008 and Objects in Relation – Goshka Macuga, Tate Britain, 2007. Current and upcoming solo shows include: I Am Become Death, Kunsthalle Basel, and The Bloomberg Commission – Goshka Macuga, Whitechapel Gallery, London, April 2009 – April 2010.
DAVID MALJKOVIC (born 1973, Rijeka, Croatia lives and work in Zagreb and Berlin) has recently been awarded the 6th ARCO Award to Young Artists; group shows in 2008 include When Things Cast No Shadow, 5th Berlin Biennial for Contemporary Art, and Eyes Wide Open, acquisitions, Stedelijk Museum CS, Amsterdam. Recent and upcoming solo shows include: Retired Compositions, Metro Pictures, New York, 2009 and David Maljkovic, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, September 8 – October 9, 2009.
More info: Kate McGary
