The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Red Carpet Premiere of Paramount+’s ‘Wolf Pack’

      January 23, 2023

      Entertainment

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Events

      On The Scene: Dolphland Pop-Up Museum Cocktail Reception

      January 22, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Dorothy Wang Talks ‘Bling Empire’ NY

      January 20, 2023

      Film

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Film

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      Film

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Film

      Exclusive: Finn Wolfhard, Jesse Eisenberg and More Talk When You Finish Saving The…

      January 19, 2023

      The Kontenders

      KnockturnaLIST: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2022

      December 30, 2022

      The Kontenders

      BHFF Review: ‘Harbinger’ COVID Horror At Its Most Chilling

      November 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022: Aftersun

      October 7, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022 Opening Night: White Noise

      October 7, 2022

      Theater

      Theater Review: Death of a Salesmen

      December 27, 2022

      Theater

      Review: Life Imitates Art in “The Collaboration”

      December 22, 2022

      Theater

      Review: “Some Like it Hot” is Blazing on Broadway

      December 19, 2022

      Theater

      The Janes: A story of power and resilience.

      December 16, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      TV

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      TV

      ‘The Last of Us’ Season 1, Episode 2 Review

      January 23, 2023

      TV

      Netflix and Michael Kors Host Red Carpet Celebration For Launch of ‘Bling Empire…

      January 20, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Entertainment

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Entertainment

      Swingers NoMad Brings A New Type Of Mini Golf To NYC

      January 24, 2023

      Entertainment

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      This Weekend: Nina Kraviz, Magdalena, Kevin de Vries and KAS:ST Launch Teksupport and…

      January 19, 2023

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Events

      Carnegie Hall Presents A Night of Inspiration

      December 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      City Girls and Flo Milli Perform at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop to Celebrate the…

      November 19, 2022

      News

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      News

      Interview With Musician Meg Baird

      January 25, 2023

      News

      Wine And Spirites Tasting and Interview With Owner Debbie Ellen Jones, Of Ellen’s…

      December 28, 2022

      News

      Interview With Chef, Matt Abdoo, at Zippo’s Brand Dinner in NYC!

      December 13, 2022

      Music

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Music

      Music with a Message – White Dove

      January 26, 2023

      Music

      80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York City

      January 25, 2023

      Music

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      The New York EDITION Unveils 2022 Christmas Tree From Sarah Coleman

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      Art Review: Jennifer Elster Taps Into Visceral Memory With New Show at The…

      December 13, 2022

      Art

      Anna Delvey Hosts Intimate Art Showcase During Miami Art Basel

      December 12, 2022

      Events

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED, CULINARY-INSPIRED COCKTAILS

      January 24, 2023

      Events

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive Interview with Jason Rembert

      January 19, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Valentine’s Tale Told Through Jewelry

      January 13, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Celebrating a Low Waste, High Impact Holiday With Women & Climate and The…

      December 20, 2022

      Sports

      The American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab: Day 3

      December 19, 2022

      Sports

      ON THE SCENE: DRY CHALLENGE AT SLT TREAD

      December 11, 2022

      Sports

      Chief Brand Officer Rich Orosco Talks All Things LAFC & MLS.

      December 6, 2022

      Sports

      We Chat W/ MLS EVP, Commissioner’s Office & Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion…

      November 22, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Unifying the World with ‘Lest People Forget’

      January 26, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Inside a Travel Workout Day at EVEN Hotel

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EventsThe Latest

Art Review: SculptureCenter Hosts After-Hours Celebration of Two Exhibits

by Benjamin Schmidt April 1, 2017
by Benjamin Schmidt April 1, 2017 0 comment

We visit and reflect on the after-hours final viewing of two exhibits at SculptureCenter in Long Island City.

Let’s face it: systems are hot right now. They’re definitely chicer than ‘responsiveness’ and ‘reaction’ that was dominating curatorial interests a year ago. Indeed, systems are everywhere, and SculptureCenter celebrated the closing of two ambitious exhibitions that considered systems in two vastly different settings. First up was actually maintained in SculptureCenter’s dynamic lower level, a show that cheered for the unassuming and curious elements of life and how they make their rounds as components of systems. There are problems with systems: those that aren’t maintained tend to, in brief, break down. United States President Donald Trump is trying it, predicting that the elaborate healthcare system in place will “explode”. Nice idea, but not guaranteed. Of course, it’s unlikely that a relic of a healthcare system will turn up a hundred years from now, but the evidence of healthcare will remain. So systems are made up of things, and Material Deviance keeps this in mind. Material Deviance is also dependent upon the ideas that replication occurs regularly, but irregularities and changes can take place physically. Somehow, this parlays into a conversation (mind you, a conversation no one was having) about systems of power, regulation, and control. Advancing this far seems unwise – the meaning of certain systems usually isn’t more than what it was designed to do. No matter, these works exist to expose the problems with systems, and the unique space for innovation that develops.

The story really isn’t finished. Works by Olivia Booth and Kim Brandt, Jesse Harrod, and others work to rearrange narratives, alter properties, leave traces of actions and more. It takes a certain mind to extrapolate Barb Smith’s pressed memory foam mattresses as a statement on systems. Her work is hardly groundbreaking: it’s an exploration of polyurethane’s capacities to erase imprints of the body and retain something the polyurethane wasn’t designed to retain to begin with (the artist using a mattress as medium, essentially). Smith’s approach is subversive, sure, but it’s also not revealing anything interesting. It’s like microwaving plastic and regarding that as an innovation in plastic or revealing a “problem” with plastic. Smith’s sidestepping aside, the more exciting aspect is the repurposing of the mattress, period. The appeal is more spacious and at first glance, the form is alien and seeks avoidance, despite being a surface that is at the center of a billion dollar industry.

The other exhibit that closed dealt with the system of production. According to SculptureCenter, “Creating sculptures with cacao as a primary material, the artists that comprise The Cercle d’Art des Travailleurs de Plantation Congolaise (CATPC) are plantation workers who harvest raw material for international companies. In the Congo, as elsewhere, plantation workers are grossly underpaid for their contribution to global industry, whether to the $100 billion chocolate industry or to the production of palm oil, broadly used in common household products.”

Many of the sculptures created by CATPC members are future, present, and ancestral self-representations, and take up symbolic figures such as the art collector. First molded from clay, then 3D printed and cast in chocolate, the sculptures are made in collaborative settings and the materials used refer back to and overwrite the exploitative economics of global trade.

Activating artistic interests in the context of plantations and industry is an effort to restore innovation and hobby to a working class of people. To regard this as an “extraction” of culture is a challenging way to phrase it, as it suggests that the means were not there to begin with. Not so: the human ingenuity required has always been present and fizzling at the surface, the missing ingredient is little more than a desire to execute it. The intersection of work and expertise can lead to new forms but done in a manner that is timely and crafted with a deft hand. Not to underestimate the creativity, if an extraction is taking place, it is getting idea from mind to physicality.

This is a moment for real systematic reflection – from legacy to future, an opportunity to allow art to be introduced as part of a system, rather than the cannibalization or total destruction of another.
In collaboration with their sister organization the Institute for Human Activities (IHA), founded by Dutch artist Renzo Martensand active in Congo since 2012, CATPC is currently building the Lusanga International Research Center for Art and Economic Inequality (LIRCAEI) on a former Unilever plantation in a remote rainforest. The Cercle d’Art des Travailleurs de Plantation Congolaise (CATPC) is an expanding art collective co-founded in 2014 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Plantation workers Djonga Bismar, Matthieu Kilapi Kasiama, Cedrick Tamasala, Mbuku Kimpala, Mananga Kibuila, Jérémie Mabiala, Emery Mohamba, and Thomas Leba, ecologist René Ngongo, and the Kinshasa-based artists Michel Ekeba, Eléonore Hellio, and Mega Mingiedi are its leading personalities.

The next exhibition at SculptureCenter will feature Charlotte Prodger’s new video work, BRIDGIT (2016), shot entirely on her iPhone which she approaches as a prosthesis – almost an extension of the nervous system, among others, opening May 1, 2017.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
ARTart reviewBARB SMITHCATPCKIM BRANDTOLIVIA BOOTHsculpturecenterThe Cercle d'Art des Travailleurs de Plantation Congolaise
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Benjamin Schmidt

previous post
‘It’ 2017 Remake Will Have You Reliving Childhood Nightmares
next post
The Get Down: Why Part Two Will Be A Netflix Masterpiece

Related Posts

Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

January 27, 2023

80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York...

January 25, 2023

On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo...

January 25, 2023

Interview With Musician Meg Baird

January 25, 2023

The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature...

January 25, 2023

MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED,...

January 24, 2023

Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A...

January 24, 2023

Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

January 23, 2023

Exclusive: HEESU Talks Creating Dance Music That Honors...

January 23, 2023

‘The Last of Us’ Season 1, Episode 2...

January 23, 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Digital Cover No. 16

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

Thank you for having us tonight @siriusxm! @champ Thank you for having us tonight @siriusxm!

@champagnepapi live at #TheApollo along with #LilUzi, @21savage #Dipset 

Covered by @bolly.hood
Writer / director / producer @kenyabarris talks ne Writer / director / producer @kenyabarris talks new @netflix film “You People” at a special screening @paristheaternyc
We spoke with @sarahmgellar at the premiere of @wo We spoke with @sarahmgellar at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @chloeroserobertson at the premiere We spoke with @chloeroserobertson at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @armanijackson at the premiere of @w We spoke with @armanijackson at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @tylerlawrencegray at the premiere o We spoke with @tylerlawrencegray at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Red Carpet Premiere of Paramount+’s ‘Wolf Pack’

      January 23, 2023

      Entertainment

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Events

      On The Scene: Dolphland Pop-Up Museum Cocktail Reception

      January 22, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Dorothy Wang Talks ‘Bling Empire’ NY

      January 20, 2023

      Film

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Film

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      Film

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Film

      Exclusive: Finn Wolfhard, Jesse Eisenberg and More Talk When You Finish Saving The…

      January 19, 2023

      The Kontenders

      KnockturnaLIST: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2022

      December 30, 2022

      The Kontenders

      BHFF Review: ‘Harbinger’ COVID Horror At Its Most Chilling

      November 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022: Aftersun

      October 7, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022 Opening Night: White Noise

      October 7, 2022

      Theater

      Theater Review: Death of a Salesmen

      December 27, 2022

      Theater

      Review: Life Imitates Art in “The Collaboration”

      December 22, 2022

      Theater

      Review: “Some Like it Hot” is Blazing on Broadway

      December 19, 2022

      Theater

      The Janes: A story of power and resilience.

      December 16, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      TV

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      TV

      ‘The Last of Us’ Season 1, Episode 2 Review

      January 23, 2023

      TV

      Netflix and Michael Kors Host Red Carpet Celebration For Launch of ‘Bling Empire…

      January 20, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Entertainment

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Entertainment

      Swingers NoMad Brings A New Type Of Mini Golf To NYC

      January 24, 2023

      Entertainment

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      This Weekend: Nina Kraviz, Magdalena, Kevin de Vries and KAS:ST Launch Teksupport and…

      January 19, 2023

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Events

      Carnegie Hall Presents A Night of Inspiration

      December 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      City Girls and Flo Milli Perform at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop to Celebrate the…

      November 19, 2022

      News

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      News

      Interview With Musician Meg Baird

      January 25, 2023

      News

      Wine And Spirites Tasting and Interview With Owner Debbie Ellen Jones, Of Ellen’s…

      December 28, 2022

      News

      Interview With Chef, Matt Abdoo, at Zippo’s Brand Dinner in NYC!

      December 13, 2022

      Music

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Music

      Music with a Message – White Dove

      January 26, 2023

      Music

      80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York City

      January 25, 2023

      Music

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      The New York EDITION Unveils 2022 Christmas Tree From Sarah Coleman

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      Art Review: Jennifer Elster Taps Into Visceral Memory With New Show at The…

      December 13, 2022

      Art

      Anna Delvey Hosts Intimate Art Showcase During Miami Art Basel

      December 12, 2022

      Events

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED, CULINARY-INSPIRED COCKTAILS

      January 24, 2023

      Events

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive Interview with Jason Rembert

      January 19, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Valentine’s Tale Told Through Jewelry

      January 13, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Celebrating a Low Waste, High Impact Holiday With Women & Climate and The…

      December 20, 2022

      Sports

      The American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab: Day 3

      December 19, 2022

      Sports

      ON THE SCENE: DRY CHALLENGE AT SLT TREAD

      December 11, 2022

      Sports

      Chief Brand Officer Rich Orosco Talks All Things LAFC & MLS.

      December 6, 2022

      Sports

      We Chat W/ MLS EVP, Commissioner’s Office & Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion…

      November 22, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Unifying the World with ‘Lest People Forget’

      January 26, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Inside a Travel Workout Day at EVEN Hotel

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch