Paper Under the Knife explores the international phenomenon of cut paper in contemporary art—showcasing the work of artists who reach beyond the traditional role of paper as a neutral surface to consider its potential as a medium for provocative, expressive, and visually striking sculpture, installation, and video animation. On view from October 7, 2009, through April 4, 2010, the exhibition will also feature 12 new site-specific commissions and installations.
Organized by the Museum of Arts and Design, Slash features work by approximately 50 contemporary artists from sixteen countries, including the Norwegian artist Anne-Karin Furunes, Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Tom Friedman, Nina Katchadourian, Judy Pfaff, and Kara Walker, among others.
Anne-Karin Furunes’ work, at first glance, appears to be a photograph; most frequently the image is an extreme close-up of a male or female face. As one approaches the image, however, it begins to fade and ultimately disappear as the viewer becomes visually aware of the plain black surface of the paper. What had been an easily recognizable visage is seen to be a sheet of black paper (or canvas) punctured by hundreds of small holes. The effect is dependent upon light transmitted through the holes from behind the sheet; without light the image is nearly invisible. The punched holes vary in diameter; together they are able to create the illusion of highlights and shadows and thus define the form with astonishing accuracy. While based on actual photographs, the works are entirely hand punched. The artist has used photographs of named contemporary individuals in Norway and China, but also photographs of anonymous individuals, including a group of faces collected as part of a racial genetic study in the 1920s to 1940s. Furunes touches upon issues of memory on many levels in these works; the ghost-like faces
Anne-Karin Furunes was born in Trondheim, Norway, and studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen; the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim; and the Architectural Association, London. Her solo exhibitions began in 1994, and since then she has exhibited worldwide. Furunes has received numerous public commissions in such venues as Deutsche Bank in Sydney and the Trondheim Airport in Norway.
Curated by the Museum’s Chief Curator, David Revere McFadden, Slash is the third exhibition in MAD's Materials and Process series, which examines the renaissance of traditional handcraft materials and techniques in contemporary art and design.
General Admission: $15.
Students/Seniors: $12.
Members: Free.