Donald Young

Ken Fandell

26 Feb - 02 Apr 2010

© Ken Fandell
Squares and Circles and Sex and Stardust, 2010
Animated high definition video
15:28 minute loop
KEN FANDELL
"Squares and Circles and Sex and Stardust"

26 February 2010–2 April 2010
Reception for the artist, Friday, February 26, 2010, 5:00 to 7:00 PM

The Donald Young Gallery is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of new animated video by Ken Fandell. A multidisciplinary artist, Fandell’s interests lie in the contemplation of the commonplace together with the extraordinary. His subject matter is as varied as the equally romantic and scientifically intriguing stardust and the simplicity and banality of a bathroom floor. His investigations of these subjects are both thought provoking and humorous.

SQUARES AND CIRCLES AND SEX AND STARDUST is a 14 minute animated video comprised of high resolution still photos, drawings and found imagery. The loop begins as the camera zooms in on an infinite grid which at its center reveals a twisting and turning model of the human brain. The video continues to cycle through a variety of images including gyrating scribbles, dancing flames, the Large Hadron Collider, Rorschach tests and a salad. The imagery flips between positive to negative and proceeds through the loop in reverse order to end where it began, with the grid. The accompanying soundtrack is a remix of classic rock anthems manipulated to melancholic drones.

With this work, Fandell continues to explore his interest in the never ending desire to obtain knowledge and understanding. With every question answered by scientific and psychological exploration further questions are brought to light. The quest for knowledge is continuously evolving in an infinite loop, just as the simplicity of a perfect grid is never ending.

This exhibition is presented in conjunction with Tony Wight Gallery, Chicago who will simultaneously exhibit a new series of related prints entitled Revolved Rorschachs.

Ken Fandell’s (American, b. 1971) work has been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago; Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art; Bellevue Art Museum and 126 Gallery, Gallway, Ireland. His work is included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Brooklyn Museum of Art; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago. He is the recipient both Artadia and The Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Awards. Fandell is Associate Professor of Photography at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

The reception is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 to 5:30 and Saturday, 11:00 to 5:30. If you would like more information, please contact Emily Letourneau or Bren Elston at 312.322.3600.
 

Tags: Ken Fandell