Here

Michael Brown, The People's Playground, 2008
cast aluminum
71.75 x 69 x 2 inches
© Michael Brown; courtesy of the artist and Yvon Lambert Paris, New York, London



OF OTHER SPACES
February 25-April 25, 2009
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Opening reception February 25, 5–7 p.m. Free and open to the public.

[Mary Jo Bole, Michael Brown, Alain Bublex, Robert Buck, Gregory Crewdson, Dan Graham, Candida Höfer, Guillaume Leblon, Laura Lisbon, Gordon Matta-Clark, Eva Meyer and Eran Schaerf, Laurent Montaron, Marylène Negro, TJ Norris with Scott Wayne Indiana, Sarah Schönfeld, Maya Schweizer, Suzanne Silver, Christian Tomaszewski, Clemens von Wedemeyer, Jane & Louise Wilson]>>>

Curated by James Voorhies

Of Other Spaces explores how space affects human behavior and experience. The exhibition asks us to consider the ways in which spaces are charged with authority, and both serve and suppress our actions and ways of relating. The concept of “other spaces” is drawn from the philosophy of Michel Foucault, especially his thoughts on social relations and cultural practices expressed in the intersection of space, architecture, and history. In a rarely cited 1967 text by Foucault, entitled [“Of Other Spaces, Heterotopias,”]>>> he introduces what he calls heterotopias--different or other spaces.

Hospitals, prisons, schools, libraries, museums, fairgrounds, cinemas, beaches, cemeteries, gardens, hotel suites, train stations, and even mirrors have the potential to be other spaces. Other spaces are essentially virtual. They function in accordance with personal memories, associations, experiences, and imaginings that one has of these very real sites. By making common practices strange, Foucault’s writing often initiates conversations about habitual actions, in this case, in relation to space. The collection of works of art on exhibit here and the reprinting of Foucault’s text on “heterotopias” in the exhibition catalogue form the visual and philosophical catalyst for thinking about the function and meaning of space in everyday life.

Of Other Spaces continues a discussion on the origins, uses, histories, influences, and current and past activities that accompany our personal experiences of space.

An integral part of this exhibition includes a one-time screening on [March 11 ]>>> of She Might Belong to You (2007) by Eva Meyer and Eran Schaerf, Metropolis, Report from China (2006) by Maya Schweizer and Clemens von Wedemeyer, and Will there be a sea battle tomorrow? (2008) by Laurent Montaron at the film/video theater at Wexner Center for the Arts.

In conjuction with this exhibition Bureau for Open Culture presented [Dewey Decimal Days]>>>, a 5-day celebration of libraries and books.