BE THERE
What We Do is SecretPresented by Sara Tecchia Roma New York April 24, 2008- June 21, 2008Reception: April 24, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmAntistrot
Sara Tecchia Roma New York is extremely pleased to present the first American solo exhibition by the Dutch collective, Antistrot. The members of Antistrot found each other while studying illustration at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. They bonded over a shared dislike of both their professor (Professor Strot-hence the name, Anti Strot) and of the restrictive view of art making that they saw as far too widespread. As a joke, members began to draw together. Their first collaborative project was a cut-and-paste style magazine, which marked the birth of their strong graphic style along with a complete rejection of morality in art. The magazines led to invitations to show the work in galleries, then museums. Ten years later, with most members in their early thirties, Antistrot still draw and paint as a group. They do so simultaneously around a table "attacking" the canvas from all sides. They often incorporate images from obscure comics, fashion magazines, old photography books, and other sources by drawing these pictures onto the canvas with each member's distinct and individualized style. While working, they talk about current events, pop culture, things that piss them off, other artists--anything that interests them--which then unexpectedly become part of what they are creating. The magic of Antistrot is that each work is a surprise, not only to the viewers but to themselves as well. Current members of Antistrot are Paul Börchers, David Elshout, Johan Kleinjan, Silas Schletterer, Michiel Walrave and Bruno Ferro Xavier da Silva, with additional help from Charlie Dronkers. Antistrot has shown extensively throughout Europe and Japan, including exhibitions at Boijmans van Beuningen (Rotterdam), Hugh Lane Gallery (Dublin), Centre of Contemporary Art (Prague) and others. Their most recent installation was at ~scope Miami with Ludovica Gioscia, as well as a mural at 3rd Ward in Brooklyn with Emu & Eru Arizono-a Japanese artist duo.
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