Badischer Kunstverein presents the first comprehensive institutional solo exhibition of the Canadian artist Janice Kerbel in Germany. Janice Kerbel’s exhibition at the Badischer Kunstverein centres around the work ‘Kill the Workers!’ (2011), newly produced in cooperation with the Chisenhale Gallery, London. ‘Kill the Workers!’ is a play that the artist has written solely for stage lights. This light installation is accompanied by other existing works by the artist, such as the poster series ‘Remarkable’ (2007/2010) or the audio work ‘Ballgame’ (2009). Exhibition on view 1 July–11 September 2011.
Kerbel’s works frequently take the form of plans or scripts. Although they refer to existing systems and structures of order, she alters them in such a way that new imaginary spaces emerge. Fictive narratives and cultural desires are mingled in Kerbel’s projects with close examination of political or social conditions of the imagined object. The media that Kerbel uses range from book projects, drawings and prints, all the way to light and audio works.
Over the past few years the artist has been interested in the language of dramaturgical actions and forms. The central work ‘Kill the Workers!’ is a continuation of Kerbel’s interest in theatrical performance. There are no actors or sets; the dramaturgy and plot are portrayed solely through the various intensities, colours, light beams and directions of the stage lighting. The protagonist of the play is a spotlight that goes on an epic odyssey to abandon its serving role and be seen as a light in its own right instead.
Janice Kerbel (born 1969 in Toronto) lives and works in London.
Solo shows (selection): 2011 Chisenhale Gallery, London; 2010 Art Now, Tate Britain, London; 2009 Ballgame, greengrassi, London; Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery, Canada; 2008 European Kunsthalle, Cologne. Group shows (selection): 2010 KW69 #2 cactus craze, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin; Best Laid Plans, The Drawing Room, London; 2009 Poor. Old. Tired. Horse, ICA, London; 2008 Janice Kerbel, Silke Otto-Knapp, Allen Ruppersberg, Galerie Karin Günther, Hamburg.
“Kill the Workers!” is co-commissioned with Chisenhale Gallery, London.
Supported by the British Council and the Embassy of Canada, Berlin.
Badischer Kunstverein
76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
www.badischer-kunstverein.de