While visiting Amy Sillman’s exhibition at Sikkema Jenkins this month, readers can pick up the latest volume of The O-G for a buck. Folded inside the low-budget artist booklet is a small poster, “Some Problems in Philosophy,” sort of a crib sheet to understanding the famous philosophers and their theories, from Descartes through Derrida. In hand-drawn chart form, the poster (originally made as a drawing for the show) lists the “great” and “not so great” about each. In a postscript at the bottom Sillman advises readers not to worry about Hannah Arendt, Simone Weil, Elizabeth Grosz, and other women philosophers. “Women – who cares what they think?? Don’t even bother–probably minor stuff–[!]” In this terrific exhibition, Sillman drolly explores the battle between conceptual art and painting, latching onto the image of a lightbulb as both muse and model. To get a copy of the zine, send a note to Two Coats explaining why you want it.� [UPDATE: Oops–Sillman has sent us a note to let us know that she prefers Two Coats NOT give our extra copy to a reader. To get one, you must go see the show! Also, she told us she doesn’t read blogs. Ouch.]
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Here are a few iPhone images of the larger paintings:
“Amy Sillman:� Transformer (or, how many lightbulbs does it take to change a painting?)” Sikkema Jenkins, New York, NY. Through May 15.
Nice work with the iphone. Looks like a good show.
She looks to be crossing guston with matisse now. love Amy
A shame the philosophy crib sheet is not quite legible in the JPG but I could make out the amusing summary of Kiekegaard as 'A nervous wreck".
I'm a little surprised she's happy to pass over someone like Martha Nussbaum though.
I'm disappointed to see the change of heart regarding the mailing of the zines. I would love to see the show and get a zine in person, but alas, I live in California. I think Sillman is great… maybe she could make an exception for some west coast fans?
I think it's an interesting question whether or not an artist can control the distribution of their art work after it's been fairly purchased. (See article about Craig Robins's sale of Marlene Dumas's work here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/arts/design/17blacklisting.html?src=mv)
Generally, the answer is no, but since we're trying to build community here, I'm happy to respect Amy's wishes. And the extra zine I picked up at Sikkema Jenkins will make an excellent gift for that special someone whose birthday is just around the corner 🙂
I'll give you copies of my artist book to distribute on your blog!
The philosophy booklet is pretty funny. I would note that, far from being dismissed as "minor stuff," Arendt is the subject of a robust academic industry at this point. One can quibble that it's one not always operating in philosophy departments, but then, Arendt was pretty adamant about considering most of her work political theory and not philosophy.
I'm especially happy to see this post as I'm currently trying to figure out what to do on a rare trip to New York soon. I think I know now.
I was really excited about getting a Amy Sillman in the mail! Oh well, I am and will remain a huge fan of her work. She's a big inspiration to me and my paintings.
When I saw the picture of Amy's poster, I immediately thought of Basquiat. The block-lettering and the contrast between and the idea/desire to organize and imperfect grid lines are what gave it away. I wrote a research paper and presentation on Basquiat and his style for a class last semester and it really expanded my take on what I consider quality artwork. It's fun to see how any particular style can be either remembered, referenced or re-used even decades later.