Chain Leather Swing, 2009. Image Courtesy of Monica Bonvicini and VG Bild-Kunst.
Everything we do involves the setting of spaces, either creating or destroying them. The artworks of Monica Bonvicini explore the relation between gender roles and power constellations in the spheres of architecture, questioning the patriarchal structures that has lasted all throughout art history.
Light Me Black, 2009. Image Courtesy of Monica Bonvicini and VG Bild-Kunst.
Bonvicini’s narrative is further reinforced with her solo exhibition “I do You” transforming the Neue Nationalgalerie into a place that redefines the traditionally male dominated power of architecture. With installations perfectly accompanying the facility of the Neue Nationalgalerie, a new perspective is brought to the viewer while also physically integrating them. In addition to the architectural installations, a set of Bonvicinis past sculptural work also include the visitors like her “Chain Swings” which can be used by two people, visually playing with the fetish club scene using steel and chain materials. Engaging more with the audience is her piece “Blind Shot – Wallsucker”, a black sprayed drilling machine, spinning every five minutes over the heads of the visitors. Transcending space and time, the old artworks are accompanied by new light installations, consisting of neon light tubes twisted with electric cables by hand to illuminate the hall. Underlining the whole exhibition is her sound work titled “Retrospective”, in which Bonvicini recites every title of her past artworks, symbolising her lasting interest in literature and accentuating the mix of media her volume of art incorporates.
The exhibition runs from November 25th to April 30th 2023. Find out more information here.