Visual and performance artist Matthew Schreiber unveiled his new Bold Notion installation last night at the CORE:club in Midtown. A walk through of the installation, presented by Audi, was preceded by cocktails on the CORE:club’s outdoor patio. Specialty drinks featuring LED ice cubes and vaporized alcohol were served alongside trays of escargot, caviar, and quinoa with seared duck. Guests were then invited to walk through the exhibit and interact with the artwork itself.
Upon entering the fields of red laser beams, many stopped, as if it felt wrong to enter the space and disrupt the beams on their way across the space. Schreiber admits that this feeling of unease was intentional. He told The Knockturnal, “It’s this super exclusive club, and that you need to get past the gauntlet was on purpose.” He also divulged his research into dark liquidity, which he describes as a “secret society of economics.” The installation’s crosshatching lines of light do feel like an entrance exam. Just as villains in films flip and dive to avoid detection while executing their nefarious plans, guests too must decide whether to avoid the beams or confront them head on, something that engages each individual both mentally and physically.
After guests had a chance to immerse themselves in “Bold Notion: Art of Innovation,” they were invited to attend a question and answer segment with Schreiber, curated by editor-in-chief of Modern Painters, Scott Indrisek. Schreiber spoke of his inspiration for installation stating that he wanted attendees to feel as though they were being “scanned” upon entering. He also told The Knockturnal that he wanted to “erase the space” by turning off the main lighting system and using only his red lasers to provide light and alter the existing architecture of the CORE: club to make the space feel new. Schreiber also found his work reflecting the latest LED technology and design aspects that are unique to Audi before he even drove one of the cars, something that was an interesting, but purely coincidental element of the installation.
Following the Q&A, select guests were invited to a dinner upstairs with Schreiber and his wife, whom he states was his collaborator on the project. A multitude of differing courses were served including pea consommé, white asparagus in a lettuce brown butter coulis, Dover sole ballotine, a veal trio with pomme dauphine, strawberry crème on a black olive financier, and marshmallows made by the CORE:club’s in house pastry chef. Accompanying wine was served for each course, but servers withheld the types being provided unless asked in an attempt to urge guests to focus solely on the food.
On Saturday, May 14th the CORE:club will open Matthew Schreiber’s “Bold Notion: Art of Innovation” to the public. To view the transformed space head to 66 East 55th Street tomorrow only.
[slideshow]-Cara Best
