Mystic Truths - 30 June to 14 October, 2007
New Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
A new exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery explores the prevalence of mysticism in contemporary art and its potential to
shift the existing relationship of art to life.
Olivia Plender
The Medium & Daybreak, 2005
mixed-media installation, courtesy of the artist - View Large
Seventeen international artists draw upon mystic realities either through re-performing historic spiritualism,
activating contemporary superstition, recreating mystic tools and iconography and documenting belief in other worlds and
speculative realities.
Thomas Zipp
Black Tears, 2005
mixed-media on paper, framed, courtesy Galerie Guido W. Baudach
photo: Roman März - View Large
Both the artists and viewer's standpoint are positioned in the uncertain middle-ground between belief and cynicism.
David Hatcher
Semantic Bliss, 2007
mixed -media installation
courtesy of the artist and Starkwhite, Auckland
photo: Bryan James, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery - View Large
The title Mystic Truths extracts the oxymoron embedded in Bruce Nauman's 1967 neon sign "the true artist helps the world
by revealing mystic truths".
Bruce Nauman
Window or Wall Sign, 1967
© Bruce Nauman, licensed by VISCOPY Australia 2007
collection of National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
courtesy of the artist and National Gallery of Australia, Canberra - View Large
Nauman's words declare a role for the artist that sits uneasily within contemporary art and life in the West - that
mysticism is not only alive and real, but also necessary.
Loris Gréaud
Topsy, 2006
(featuring Karl Holmqvist)
silicon mould, black pigment, modified speaker, cd player and audio file
courtesy of the artist and Yvon Lambert Gallery, Paris and New York - View Large
Curator Natasha Conland calls upon the catch-phrase 'mind over matter' to suggest the artists' interest in the powers of
the mind as a change-agent in the physical realm of art and exhibition.
David Hatcher
Oedipal Manoeuvres in the Dark, 2004
fluorescent pigment and acrylic paint on walls
installation view, Müllerdechiara, Berlin, 2005
photo: Ludger Paffrath - View Large
She uses the metaphor of 'the curse' as an alternative lens from which to view the relationship between concept and
form. Freed from cynical or superstitious association, a curse is merely an idea. Add belief to this idea, and it has
the power to affect change.
Jennifer Tee
Sao Paolo Biennale, 2004
performance - View Large
The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue and programme including talks, films and events including an
opening weekend performance by UK artist Olivia Plender.
Mikala Dwyer
Superstitious Scaffolding, 2006 (installation view)
mixed-media installation
courtesy the artist, private collection, Wellington
and Hamish McKay Gallery- View Large
This fresh generation of artists has renewed the search for abstract truths. Their works play on the tension between our
desire to experience the unknown and our inherent scepticism.
Omer Fast
Godville, 2005 (still)
two-channel digital video
courtesy of the artist and GB Agency, Paris - View Large
Mystic Truths features three New Zealand artists - Liz Maw, Dane Mitchell and David Hatcher - and is accompanied by a
comprehensive catalogue and events programme. Don't miss the opening weekend performance by Olivia Plender, a rising
star of the British art scene.
Seventeen International ArtistsA.P.Komen/Karen Murphy (Netherlands)
Mikala Dwyer (Australia)
Omer Fast (Israel/USA)
Laurent Grasso (France)
Loris Gréaud (France)
David Hatcher (NZ)
Joachim Koester (Denmark)
Maria Loboda (Germany)
Liz Maw (NZ)
Annette Messager (France)
Dane Mitchell (NZ)
Karen Murphy & AP Komen (Netherlands)
Olivia Plender (UK)
Jennifer Tee (Netherlands)
Mungo Thomson (USA)
Barbara Visser (Netherlands)
Thomas Zipp (Germany).
Mystic Truths - 30 June to 14 October, 2007
New Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
www.aucklandartgallery.comAdmission
$7 adults, $5 concessions,
multipasses and family passes available
children under 5 free
free entry on Mondays
Explore your desire to know the truth and face the fear of the unknown!
ENDS
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For further information contact: Jennifer Dann, Communications Coordinator, Auckland Art Gallery, Telephone 09 307 7706