May 18 – August 19, 2018
Organized by the Contemporary Arts Center; Curated by Steven Matijcio
CINCINNATI, OH (APR 2018) – The Contemporary Arts Center is organizing two exhibitions with Firelei Báez, To See Beyond and Alison Crocetta, A Circus of One. Both artists explore the intricate and complex aspects of being human through contrary tactics: Báez through vibrant, dream-like paintings and sculptures of figures, and Crocetta through a powerful combination of performance, film and sound.
Firelei Báez: To See Beyond
“There’s a fluidity of color of race, in the Caribbean...in America, you’re black,” says Báez. In her first Ohio exhibition, the Caribbean-born, Brooklyn-based artist explores intricacies of race, gender and identity, creating worlds with ambiguous, colorful avatars to “disrupt the current system of social categorization. As more people become multiracial, skin tone is no longer a sufficient signifier.” To See Beyond will feature 12-15 of Báez’s stunning works from both past and present, including the premiere of two never before seen paintings. “Firelei Baez is poised to take the next major step in her rapidly ascending career,” says Curator Steven Matijcio.
Alison Crocetta: A Circus of One
A Circus of One is Alison Crocetta’s first solo museum exhibition and a survey of her career to date. A New York-born, Columbus-based artist and professor at The Ohio State University, Crocetta’s exhibition will provide an overview of her multi-layered practice featuring photographs, film and video from past performance projects.
At the heart of this exhibition will be the premiere of A Circus of One (Act II), a 30-minute event comprised of seven performance actions that occur within the intimate setting of a 20-foot-wide ring. In close proximity to this work, the CAC will present a large-scale projection of her 16mm black-and-white film, A Circus of One and related wooden sculptures that were used in the film’s actions.
“Alison Crocetta accrued recognition within the art world, collecting a robust list of awards, grants, accolades, fellowships, and residencies that have garnered great respect amongst artists, curators, critics and those that know this field well," says Curator Steven Matijcio. "This exhibition shares her poignant work with a broader audience so that it can be properly celebrated - gathering works and documentation from her most formative projects to craft a survey of a truly singular artist.”
This exhibition will also mark the premiere of a new durational performance entitled, Resonator and a performance video called A Passage. Resonator features the artist singing a cappella from within a sculpture that accommodates the proportions of her body and amplifies her voice as she sings.
EXHIBITION RUN:
5.18.18 – 8.19.18
OPENING CELEBRATION:
5.18.18 – 8PM
Alison Crocetta Performance Schedule:
A Circus of One (Act II)
May 19, 3–4PM; June 26, 7–8PM; July 24, 7–8PM; August 18, 3–4PM
Resonator
May 18, 8:45–9:45PM; August 19, 3–4PM
SPONSORS – The WOMXN, Linda and Jim Miller, Maria Kalomenidu and Yannis Skoufalos, Stephen and Sandra Joffe, Sue Friedlander, Jimmy and Lauren Miller
For additional information, contact Asa Featherstone, IV: Media Relations Coordinator/Video Producer.
Cover Images: Firelei Báez, Voice After Memory (June 20th), 2015. Courtesy of Gallery Wendi Norris, San Francisco
Alison Crocetta, A Circus of One (Act II), a performance in collaboration with composer Zac Little, 2018. Photo © Jo McCulty