
Assemblage
Leonard Pearlstein Gallery • 2019
In an attempt to disrupt notions of principality and authorship, Assemblage is interested in works created collectively. How do we identify the most important voice—whose voice gets amplified and under what circumstances. Whom are we addressing and how do we wish to be addressed? How does this disrupt or challenge the status quo (or not)? Contemporary culture most often places value on authoritative individual (master) voices—when often those voices rely upon the work of others to exist. In an attempt to de-center the focus on solo auteurs as preferred makers, Assemblage looks to highlight works by collectives or collaborative projects made by several artists. All of the artists featured in the show move in and out of disciplines, cities, and venues—defying categorization or genre, much like the show’s curator. There is an interest in de-colonizing authorship but also genre and discipline and moving away from a focus on outmoded (or at least contested) field structures including mentorship, mastery, and genius.