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John Bock

Past exhibition
February 27 - April 3, 2010
  • Overview
  • Installation Views
  • Works
  • Press
Overview
John Bock Büchse, 2008 Metal, paint, mixed media, video - 18:44 min. 192 x 118 x 77 1/2 inches Edition of 1 and 2 AP
John Bock
Büchse, 2008
Metal, paint, mixed media, video - 18:44 min.
192 x 118 x 77 1/2 inches
Edition of 1 and 2 AP

Opening Reception and Lecture: Monday, March 1 from 5 - 7 pm 

February 10, New York—The fifth solo show at Anton Kern Gallery of German artist John Bock includes a two-channel video projection, a squid-powered metal sculpture with video, a group of hanging soft sculptures, and a lecture dance-performance on the opening night (March 1), that allows the viewer a unique chance to witness the transformation of words, actions and everyday materials into distinct sculpture. This body of work speaks a new rigorous formal language and shows the artist expanding forms and using new materials.

 

Displayed in the back gallery, “PARA – SCHIZO, ensnarled,” entirely filmed and produced in Korea, is the first double projection in Bockʼs large film and video oeuvre. Seemingly entangled in a love story, the two protagonists are on distinct but parallel paths, converging, clashing, imitating and in the end destroying each other in a cycle of mutual interplay and action. The film is a sequence of situational frames of emotional and formal symmetry in which images and words are intricately composed between the two channels. The script follows a series of word-collages—recomposed classical, modern, and imagined references—forming a language experiment in which the actors become empathetic participants, intuitively responding to Bockʼs text and built environment, where seemingly makeshift objects play a central and active role.

 

“Büchse” (tin can), placed in the center of the gallery, is an ominously dark metal sculpture, cut and built into precise shapes, reminiscent of a submarine or other aquatic vehicle. Here and in the accompanying film Bock employs the language of travel and discovery, and leads the viewer into the dark realm of exploration and terrains unknown. The group of wall-hangings expands Bockʼs vocabulary of assemblage into strictly conceived sewn-fabric soft sculptures. Although incorporating the occasional found object, they have become new formulations of distinct sculptures while following the artistʼs esthetic of diagrams and exploratory drawings.

Download Press Release
List of Works
Installation Views
  • Installation view of John Bock's fifth show at Anton Kern Gallery.
  • Installation view of John Bock's fifth show at Anton Kern Gallery. Drawing frame pictured here.
  • Installation view of John Bock's fifth show at Anton Kern Gallery. Viewing area for film.
  • Installation view of John Bock's fifth show at Anton Kern Gallery. Four fabric works.
  • Installation view of John Bock's fifth show at Anton Kern Gallery. Wall drawing and objects.
  • Installation view of John Bock's fifth show at Anton Kern Gallery. Buchse sculpture, featuring a metal body with other objects and a video installation.
  • Installation view of John Bock's fifth show at Anton Kern Gallery. Detaile of Buchse.
  • Installation view of John Bock's fifth show at Anton Kern Gallery. Still of video.
Works
  • John Bock Büchse, 2008
    John Bock
    Büchse, 2008
  • John Bock Kugelhupf, 2010
    John Bock
    Kugelhupf, 2010
  • John Bock Untitled, 2008
    John Bock
    Untitled, 2008
  • John Bock Untitled, 2010
    John Bock
    Untitled, 2010
  • John Bock Untitled, 2010
    John Bock
    Untitled, 2010
  • John Bock Untitled, 2010
    John Bock
    Untitled, 2010
  • John Bock Untitled, 2010
    John Bock
    Untitled, 2010
  • John Bock Untitled, 2010
    John Bock
    Untitled, 2010
  • John Bock Untitled, 2010
    John Bock
    Untitled, 2010
  • John Bock PARA-SCHIZO, ensnarled, 2008
    John Bock
    PARA-SCHIZO, ensnarled, 2008
  • John Bock Self Portrait, 2010
    John Bock
    Self Portrait, 2010
  • John Bock Sea Wolf, 2010
    John Bock
    Sea Wolf, 2010
Press
  • Art in Review | John Bock

    Roberta Smith, The New York Times, April 2, 2010
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  • John Bock: An artist suggests how to deal with what life throws at you

    Merrilly Kerr, TimeOut New York, March 25, 2010
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  • John Bock

    The Art Newspaper/The Armory Show, March 5, 2010
    This link opens in a new tab.
  • When Derives a Dèrive?

    Emily Nathan, ARTSlant, March 1, 2010
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Related artist

  • John Bock

    John Bock

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