07/11/2008-28/11/2008: Derek Holzer, Sue de Beer, SIX
STYX Project Space is pleased to present three international artists in a cross media context. Sue de Beer, Derek Holzer and SIX will be showing from the 7th to 28th of November 2008.
In the Pervateen series, London born, Prague based photographer SIX highlights aspects of Czech youth culture and underground movements, previously relatively little known in the West. The portraits spanning several years bring social outsiders into focus, always matter of fact and close to the protagonists; showing us demanding, brash glances; disruption caused by the drug Pervertin; affliction and resentment drowned out by cool Dean- and Brando- gestures. Injuries, physical and mental, are visibly part of these poses: lacerated, pale skin and numbed gazes begin to function as trophy status, turn from irregularity to matter of course and finally become components of integral, irreversible self.
The visual language resonates with advertorial and fashion aesthetics, helped by the stylised typography and colour choices of the photographer. What serves as tools for staging individuality and glamour in advertising and fashion, sees a re-interpretation in SIX' work that generates authenticity. The unconditional closeness to the subjects enables the photographer to portray their individuality with all its vulnerability and fading innocence. At the same time his aesthetic choices and use of space allows the youths to present themselves self-confidently in their adolescent beauty.
Teenage inner worlds and their abysses are also a recurring theme in the work of American Sue de Beer. The exhibition will show select stills of her video work Hans und Grete, realized in Berlin. Instead of internalised aggressions and fears, and the production of a self-confident pose without alternative, she looks at the projection of suppressed emotions resulting in assumed self destruction and destruction of the hated environment. Her processes zoom in on narcissistic moments and the forceful demand for prestige. Characteristic for de Beers work is the play with dark fantasy elements and a use of horror movie aesthetic, or one close to Goth and Metal movements. Her stills emphasise the emotional captivity and contraction of perspectives experienced by her characters.
The installations of American sound artist Derek Holzer react to the hidden resonance bodies in objects and spaces. The sounds are those that could develop in the space, but also those, which the room makes possible via objects and a multiplicity of known and new instruments. His two performances, at the opening and finissage of the exhibition, will see him conduct a room-filling installation of piano chords; leaving the tightrope walk between narrowness of the project space and freedom of sound to the spectator for the duration of the exhibition.
Opening Reception and Performance by Derek Holzer:
7 November 2008, 7-10 pm
Closing Reception and Performance by Derek Holzer:
28 November 2008, 7-10 pm