Artists Space

Attention Line

June 11 – August 20, 2022

Blaster Al Ackerman, Craig Baldwin, Ed Bereal: Wanted for Disturbing the Peace, Circus Amok and Jennifer Miller, Vaginal Davis, Manuel DeLanda, James Luna, Tom Murrin (aka The Alien Comic), Tamio Shiraishi, Hannah Weiner, and Johanna Went

In conjunction with the exhibition, Canal Street Research Association with Rolando Politi will inaugurate a participatory alternative currency project.

A colored image depicts a figure
Ed Bereal, Bodacious Buggerilla performance documentation (still), c. 1970s, color film converted to video, 15 minutes. Image courtesy of the artist. [A colored image depicts a figure's upper half of the body facing front against a black background. The figure's face is painted white with contrasting makeup. The figure is wearing a fake white nose, a white wig, and an American flag patterned hat and scarf around his shoulder.]

Organized by Artists Space and Andrew Lampert, Attention Line considers the important ways that artists who generally operate outside the commercial confines of the visual art world can actively address and reconfigure media, power, and public space—through parody, exaggeration, confrontation, internalization, structured confusion, and the serendipitous nature of working out in the open. Rooted in late 1970s New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Baltimore, San Antonio, Portland, La Jolla and elsewhere in the United States, Attention Line presents eleven iconoclastic artists who self-reflexively enact radical subjectivity within the urban environment. Taking form as visual art, media interventions, stage shows, mail art, and surreptitious public performances, these artists disrupt communication channels and the trafficking of cultural material by intervening in the pervasive flows of normalcy that underpin and uphold everyday consumer culture.

Each of these remarkably singular artists has carved out their own dynamic relation between form, culture, and their suspecting or unsuspecting public. Whether working between covert urban intervention and filmed documentation (Craig Baldwin and Manuel DeLanda), exaggerating and embodying notably troubled cultural stereotypes (James Luna and Vaginal Davis), accelerating and fracturing the commonplace logic of live performance to imbue material culture with energetic chaos (Johanna Went and Tom Murrin), skewering political and hegemonic power with dark comedic parody (Ed Bereal and Circus Amok), expressing their internal subjectivity as disjunctive projections in urban space (Hannah Weiner and Tamio Shiraishi), or self-distributing their kaleidoscopic output and invented personae through decidedly unconventional means (Blaster Al Ackerman and others), these artists each bring forth critical aspects of a largely untold, uniquely American history of tactical situationist artmaking.

Improvising saxophonist Tamio Shiraishi will perform in Cortlandt Alley six times throughout the course of the exhibition. Performances will begin promptly and be brief, according to the following schedule:

Saturday, June 11, 6:30pm
Thursday, June 23, 6:30pm
Saturday, July 2, 1pm
Saturday, July 16, 1pm
Thursday, August 4, 6:30pm
Saturday, August 20, 1pm

New York’s legendary Circus Amok will present a new outdoor circus performance in Cortlandt Alley, commissioned by Artists Space as part of Attention Line.

Saturday, August 13, 2pm

As part of Attention Line, Artists Space’s downstairs gallery will feature a cinema with screenings of these artists’ films and videos. A full schedule of each week's titles will be available in the gallery and posted here soon. Cinema Schedule:

Saturday, June 11
Ed Bereal

June 15 – 25
Craig Baldwin

June 29 – July 9
Manuel DeLanda

July 13 – 23
Johanna Went

July 27 – August 6
Vaginal Davis

August 10 – 20
James Luna

Saturday, June 11, 6:30pm

Thursday, June 23, 6:30pm

Saturday, July 2, 1pm

Saturday, July 16, 1pm

Thursday, August 4, 6:30pm
Saturday, August 20, 1pm

June 18, 2022

I See Words:
The Life and Work of Hannah Weiner
Reading
1pm

June 22, 2022

Craig Baldwin in Conversation with Adam Khalil
Conversation
7pm

June 28, 2022

Canal Street Research Association with Rolando Politi:
A Symposium on Alternative Currency
Discussion
7pm

July 2, 2022

Manuel DeLanda Screening & Lecture
Screening & Lecture
4pm

August 13, 2022

Circus Amok
Performance
2pm

An image of a room with several display cases and a projection, with bright lights cast against the wall.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a room with several display cases and a projection, with bright lights cast against the wall.]
An image of a display case with several letters, and a television sitting on top.
Attention Line. Installation view (exceprts from Clairvoyant Journal, 1974, Clairvoyant Journal cassette tape, 1974, If Workshop, c. 1990 ), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Image courtesy Artists Space, New York. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a display case with several letters, and a television sitting on top.]
An image of a brightly photographed display case with a book which has been cut into in the center.
Hannah Weiner, Book of Revelations, 1989, Pencil in altered book, dimensions variable [An image of a brightly photographed display case with a book which has been cut into in the center.]
An image of a gallery with a jacket and poster hanging on one wall, and a projection visible on the other. In front of the projection is a sculpture made out of bike parts and other materials.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a gallery with a jacket and poster hanging on one wall, and a projection visible on the other. In front of the projection is a sculpture made out of bike parts and other materials.]
An image of a wall with a poster hanging on the left, and and a brown and white jacket hanging on the right.
Attention Line. Installation view (James Luna with the High Cheekbones, 2006, Jacket from the exhibit All Indian All the Time, 2005), Artists Space, June 11, 2022 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a wall with a poster hanging on the left, and and a brown and white jacket hanging on the right.]
An image of a sculpture made out of bicycle parts, as well as other materials. Behind the sculpture is a projection.
James Luna, In My Dreams: A Surreal, Post-Indian, Subterranean Blues Experience, 1996, exercise bike, crutches, beaded shoes, video projection, dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a sculpture made out of bicycle parts, as well as other materials. Behind the sculpture is a projection.]
An image of a monitor with two chairs in front of it. To the right of the monitor, a photocollage hangs on the wall.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a monitor with two chairs in front of it. To the right of the monitor, a photocollage hangs on the wall.]
On the left, a framed photograph hangs on the wall. In the center, a sculpture built around a red electric guitar hangs from the wall. In the distance on the right, various posters and ephemera adorn the wall.
Attention Line. Installation view (James as Jimmy, 2001, Guitar from the exhibit All Indian All the Time, 2005), Artists Space, June 11, 2022 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [On the left, a framed photograph hangs on the wall. In the center, a sculpture built around a red electric guitar hangs from the wall. In the distance on the right, various posters and ephemera adorn the wall.]
An image of a mixed-media sculpture.
James Luna, High-Tech-Peace-Pipe, 2000, mixed media, touch-tone phone, pipe, dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a mixed-media sculpture.]
Various posters, ephemera, and other printed matter hang on a wall with a light pink background.
Attention Line. Installation view (various ephemera surrounding the works of Vaginal Davis, c. 1990s), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [Various posters, ephemera, and other printed matter hang on a wall with a light pink background.]
An image of a gallery space with walls painted red and a projection with speakers in front of the right-facing wall.
Vaginal Davis, The White to be Angry, 1999, color video converted to digital. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a gallery space with walls painted red and a projection with speakers in front of the right-facing wall.]
An image of a wall mounted with various colorful masks and cardboard paintings. Below them is a glass display case.
Attention Line. Installation view (masks, scripts, and videos by Tom Murrin, c. late 1970s-2000s), Artists Space, June 11, 2022 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a wall mounted with various colorful masks and cardboard paintings. Below them is a glass display case.]
The walls on either side of a large glass window have various ephemera hanging from them. On the ground stand four large humanoid costumes, with a TV monitor behind them.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [The walls on either side of a large glass window have various ephemera hanging from them. On the ground stand four large humanoid costumes, with a TV monitor behind them.]
A wall that has various posters, photographs, and collages hanging from it.
Attention Line. Installation view (various flyers and photographs by Johanna Went, c. 1970s-90s), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [A wall that has various posters, photographs, and collages hanging from it.]
A brightly lit photograph of three human-sized costumes in front of a wall.
Attention Line. Installation view (costumes worn by Johanna Went, 1970s-2000s), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [A brightly lit photograph of three human-sized costumes in front of a wall.]
Two life-sized costumes.
Attention Line. Installation view (costumes worn by Johanna Went, 1970s-2000s), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [Two life-sized costumes.]
A life-sized costume in front of a large glass window.
Johanna Went, Shark Head, 1983, sweater, fabric, felt, toy poodle, Tide Detergent box cut out, panty hose mask with plastic toys and shark, dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak [A life-sized costume in front of a large glass window.]
An image of three seperate glass display cases, with various ephemera hanging on the walls behind them.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of three seperate glass display cases, with various ephemera hanging on the walls behind them.]
An image of a glass display case, above which several drawings hang from the wall.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a glass display case, above which several drawings hang from the wall.]
A close-up of a vitrine housing several postcards which have been drawn and collaged upon.
Attention Line. Installation view (various envelopes by Blaster Al Ackerman, c. 1970s-2000s, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [A close-up of a vitrine housing several postcards which have been drawn and collaged upon.]
Against the left hand wall is a glass display case, above which and above on the right hang various ephemera.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [Against the left hand wall is a glass display case, above which and above on the right hang various ephemera.]
A gallery with a large glass display case in the center. On the wall behind it hang various ephemera.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [A gallery with a large glass display case in the center. On the wall behind it hang various ephemera.]
A closeup of a glass display case which houses various ephemera.
Attention Line. Installation view (various ephemera, post cards, and drawings by Blaster Al Ackerman, c. 1970s-2000s), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [A closeup of a glass display case which houses various ephemera.]
On the lefthand side of the image is a television monitor; on the righthand side, two paintings hang from the wall.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [On the lefthand side of the image is a television monitor; on the righthand side, two paintings hang from the wall.]
An image of a large assemblage sculpture with various posed and costumed mannequins.
Ed Bereal, Miss America: Manufacturing Consent: Upside Down and Backwards, 2000-2014, mixed media and found objects, dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a large assemblage sculpture with various posed and costumed mannequins.]
An image of three paintings hanging on a wall.
Attention Line. Installation view, Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of three paintings hanging on a wall.]
A small television set sits in front of a glass window with bars. Behind the window, grafitti can be seen.
Attention Line. Installation view (compilation of seven New York subway performances by Tamio Shiraishi c. 2010-2020), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [A small television set sits in front of a glass window with bars. Behind the window, grafitti can be seen.]
An image of a brightly lit wall, upon which various ephemera are mounted.
Attention Line. Installation view (posters and ephemera from Other Cinema, c. 1970s-80s), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a brightly lit wall, upon which various ephemera are mounted.]
An image of a glass display case, above which hang various posters and epehemera. Behind the posters is a staircase.
Attention Line. Installation view (posters and ephemera from Other Cinema, c. 1970s-80s), Artists Space, June 11 - August 20, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak [An image of a glass display case, above which hang various posters and epehemera. Behind the posters is a staircase.]

Attention Line Exhibition Brochure

Wu, Jenny. "Organic Intellectuals." X-TRA. Spring 2023. Print and online.

Attention Line has been deeply informed by the guidance, generosity, and collaboration of Phil Aarons, Mitchell Algus, Darlene Altschul, E. J. Barnes, Jennifer Bartlett, John Bennett, John Berndt, Charles Bernstein & Susan Bee, Isabella Bortolozzi & Aisha Butt, Jolie Braun and Ohio State University Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Lee Ann Brown, Tom Cassidy (aka Music Master), Amy Chaloupka, Paul Chan, Howie Chen, Lynda Claassen and Special Collections & Archives, UCSD, Rebecca Cleman, James Cobb, Keith Connolly, Tony Conrad, Jeffrey Deitch, Jane Friedman, Jake Couri & Nicole Bliss at Howl Arts, Lia Gangitano, Gladstone Gallery, Adrian Glew, Stevie Greathouse, Garth Greenan, Hugh O’Rourke & Julian Corbett, Ed Halter, Greta Hartenstein, John Held, Daniel Higgs, AleXander Hirka, J. Hoberman, Richard Kern, Adam Khalil, Zack Khalil, John Klacsmann and Anthology Film Archives, Stephanie LaCava, Jill Magid, Ryan Martin, Materials for the Arts, Danny McDonald, Sarah Michelson, Stewart Mostofksy, Ian Nagoski, Phill Niblock, Annie Ochmanek, Glenn Phillips, Seth Price, Kevin Reilly, Richard Saltoun, David Scherrer, Max Schumann, Lucy Sexton, Olivia Shao, Michael Smith, Stephanie Snyder, Barbara Sternberger, Patricia Sullivan, Nigel Taylor, Video Data Bank, Mark Wheaton, Rupert Wondolowski, and Eric Wrenn.

Special thanks to Eva Buchmuller for exhibition design collaboration.

Lead support is provided by The Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery, Reed College.

Program support is provided by Lambent Foundation Fund of Tides Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation, The Cowles Charitable Trust, The Cy Twombly Foundation, The David Teiger Foundation, The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, Imperfect Family Foundation, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, The Willem de Kooning Foundation, The Fox Aarons Foundation, Herman Goldman Foundation, The Destina Foundation, The Luce Foundation, May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Arison Arts Foundation, The David Rockefeller Fund, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, The Jill and Peter Kraus Foundation, The Richard Pousette-Dart Foundation.

    Black and white image of a performance. The artist is shown standing in front of a microphone, but their face is completely covered in a mask with criss-crossing white stripes. Their upper body is wrapped in a large sheet of thick paper with repeating images pasted onto its surface, and a square cone hat sits at an angle on their head.
    Johanna Went performing at The Whiskey, Los Angeles. Photo: Ed Colver [Black and white image of a performance. The artist is shown standing in front of a microphone, but their face is completely covered in a mask with criss-crossing white stripes. Their upper body is wrapped in a large sheet of thick paper with repeating images pasted onto its surface, and a square cone hat sits at an angle on their head.]