Opening Reception for Overturn the Artifice

SOMArts Cultural Center presents Overturn the Artifice, a group exhibition March 8–29, 2013, curated by one of SOMArts’ 2012–13 Commons Curatorial Residency recipients, Jack Leamy. Locally, nationally and internationally-recognized fine artists working in painting, installation, time-based media and performance strive to re-enfranchise the individual—politically, economically and socially—while transcending and transforming historically brutal narratives of nationalism, racism, genocide, misogyny, capitalism and conformity.

The opening reception on Friday, March 8, 6pm to 9pm includes performances by Bert Bergen, Ryan Noble and Krizstina Lazar. Video archiving these performances remains on view in the gallery throughout the exhibition.

In “You Destroy Me/I Destroy You”, Noble directly engages with a massive, classically-rendered male bust, literally struggling to carry this piece in a contemporary performance context. Bergen offers “The Fetid Chasm of Transgression,” described by the artist as a “magico-religious impalement ritual.” Krisztina Lazar’s “Cocoon” explores the point in time when incubation and transformation become imperative to the survival of the organism.

Overturn the Artifice is one of four exhibition proposals selected to receive a 2012–13 Commons Curatorial Residency exhibition at SOMArts. Selected artists and curators receive curatorial stipends and a support package valued at over $20,000, as well as access to one of the largest and most beautiful gallery spaces in the heart of the city to expand their practice, engage the Bay Area’s cultural communities and turn vision into reality.