New exhibition „Slapstick! Alÿs, Bock, Chaplin, Hein, Laurel & Hardy, Keaton, Matta-Clark etc.“ from July 20, 2013 in the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg

New exhibition "Slapstick! Alÿs, Bock, Chaplin, Hein, Laurel & Hardy, Keaton, Matta-Clark etc." from July 20, 2013 in the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg

Modern Times, USA, 1936, Direction: Charles Chaplin

The Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg presents from July 20, 2013 until February 2, 2014 the exhibition „Slapstick! Alÿs, Bock, Chaplin, Hein, Laurel & Hardy, Keaton, Matta-Clark etc.“

The exhibition in the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg shows works by contemporary artists in the context of silent slapstick movies from the early history of cinema, tracing in the process of the characteristics of slapstick in the art of the present day. Objects, installations, photographs and films by such artists as John Bock, Rodney Graham, Wilfredo Prieto, Erwin Wurm, Fischli/Weiss, Bruce Nauman and Francis Als are combined in a leisurely exhibition parcours with selected key sequences from famous silent movie classics by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd or Laurel & Hardy.

The „slap stick“ was originally a simple theatrical prop, a club-like object that made a loud smacking sound, and the name for the whole genre developed from it. The history of slapstick comedy can be followed from the Italian Comedia dell“arte and Vaudeville to the early slapstick movies of the 20th century. The pitfalls of the banana peel, pie fights, brawls and chase scenes, but also the large and small vagaries of everyday life and the battle between man and machine have formed the basis for famous slapstick routines. Artists have long been on the heels of the great comic masters and taken advantage of the cultural codes of slapstick. They made targeted use in their works in various media of slapstick quotations, motifs and concepts deriving from this genre.

I kindly invite you to the

Press Conference on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 11.15 am in the conference room of the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, entrance Hollerplatz.

A selection of press photographs will be available from now on in the internet.

Registration for the press conference: media@kunstmuseum-wolfsburg.de

Opening of the exhibition on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 11 am.

Bildrechte: Photo: Deutsches Filminstitut, Frankfurt

The Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg was opened in 1994 and can already look back at a unique history with numerous authoritative exhibitions and events. Within a brief period of time, it has been possible for the museum to position itself locally and find international recognition at the same time. The museum is dedicated to modern and contemporary art, combining diverse media ranging from painting, photography and sculpture and the new media to fashion and design. The striking modernist building located in the heart of the city presents temporary exhibitions as well as works from its own collection on 3,500 square meters.

Kontakt:
Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg
Rita Werneyer
Hollerplatz 1
38440 Wolfsburg
05361266969
media@kunstmuseum-wolfsburg.de
http://www.kunstmuseum-wolfsburg.de