Garis & Hahn Presents Jomar Statkun’s ‘Banal Zone’

On Tuesday, February 11, from 6 to 8pm, Garis & Hahn invite you to “Banal Zone,” the fourth in a series of five “Presentations” for the current exhibition, Jomar Statkun.

Co-directors Mary Garis and Sophie Hahn, with Lynda Erickson, will curate a weeklong “show within a show” from a series of Statkun’s paintings based on Richard Prince’s disputed Canal Zone series — and other Prince-related subject matter — which were commissioned by Statkun and produced by a Chinese painting factory. The action is meant to explore issues of appropriation, outsourcing, and contemporary artist practices, which can mean an artist never physically touches their work.

Jomar Statkun is an exhibition of the artist’s complete work to date presented in five weeklong arrangements curated through a thematic series of performative “Presentations.” At the start of each new week, the artist’s archived collection will be stored in the gallery’s downstairs space, leaving the upstairs empty until work is introduced through a weekly “decoration” that will slowly transform the main gallery space into a unique exhibition.

Through participatory action, visitors will be invited to the basement Public Viewing Room to interact with the artist as well as look at, examine, and handle the works of art. A new prompt, interaction, game, or activity, which addresses a “Presentation,” will be introduced on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the exhibition (a total of five weeks). “Banal Zone” is the fourth in the installment of five “Presentations.” A history of these weekly exhibitions or, “decorations,” will remain on the upstairs gallery walls in varying forms of reproductions. Throughout the exhibition, Jomar Statkun will assume the roles of art handler, curator, dealer, and artist on a daily basis.

“Banal Zone” takes place in week 4 of Jomar Statkun, on Tuesday, February 11, from 6 to 8pm at Garis & Hahn (263 Bowery, Lower East Side, Manhattan). For more information, visit www.garisandhahn.com.