Alexandra Lerman

Alexandra Lerman uses copyrighted systems of physical restraint to explore the complexities of contemporary body language and issues of intellectual property through clay sculpture, drawing and a dance performance choreographed by Madeline Hollander.

Lerman presents a series of ceramic wall sculptures in which she graphs a template of the gallery’s architectural blueprint onto rolled-out slabs of clay. Each floor plan carries gouged out gestural swipe marks, appropriated from the copyrighted language of Apple's touchscreen gestures, which trace the paths traversed by gallery staff and viewers of the exhibition through the space.

A series of 26 Sumi ink drawings represent the poses within the copyrighted sequence of Bikram Yoga. Lerman uses this same lexicon of poses to create a second grouping of freestanding ceramic sculptures, each derived from manually pressing clay into the negative spaces where body parts meet within the often contortionist movements of the practice. This sculptural installation rests on an expansive triangular pedestal, which doubles as a stage, upon which Madeline Hollander will choreograph a dance performance featuring gestural movements inspired by both touchscreen swipes and Bikram poses, often compressing the two languages of abstract bodily restraint together to produce a newly hybridized flow of bodily emancipation.

Opening reception with a dance performance May 1st 6-8pm.

A second dance performance will take place at the gallery on Chelsea Night in association with the Frieze Art Fair May 10th 6-8pm.

"Immediate Release" is curated by Ceren Erdem.

Dancers:

Jeremy Pheiffer

James Graber

Mary Beth Hansohn

Madeline Hollander

Music:

Celia Rae Hollander

Costumes:

Arjuna by Mikaela Bradbury