Artists Space

eRacism

January 14 – February 21, 2004

This exhibition marks the first comprehensive look at William Pope.L's 25 years of work in all media, including performance, installation, and sculpture.

Video still of a figure laying on their back on top of an overturned, white table on a small stage area. They stretch their legs straight up above themselves. They wear a pink dress with black tulle fabric and brown boots. Scattered papers are strewn around them onstage.
[Video still of a figure laying on their back on top of an overturned, white table on a small stage area. They stretch their legs straight up above themselves. They wear a pink dress with black tulle fabric and brown boots. Scattered papers are strewn around them onstage.]

Citing social conundrum as the engine that drives his work, Pope.L addresses contemporary issues such as class, consumerism, and culturally embedded racism with dark humor and biting critique. His installations use unconventional materials, including peanut butter, mayonnaise, and Pop Tarts to provoke a closer examination of the "stuff" of everyday life and to raise questions about art as a commodity. Notorious for his performances, including the digestion and regurgitation of the Wall Street Journal, and crawling in gutters throughout the world wearing a business suit, Pope.L investigates violent and visceral propositions for the body. According to the artist's dictum "Race becomes You," and his own body becomes the site on which to play out, literalize and interrogate stereotypes.

eRacism Exhibition Checklist

Budick, Ariella. "Extra Sensory Conceptions." Newsday. January 18, 2004. Online.

Dailey, Meghan. "William Pope.L." Artforum. April 2004. Print. 161.

Stillman, Nick. "William Pope.L: eRacism." The Brooklyn Rail. February 2004. Print.

eRacism was funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the LEF Foundation.

This exhibition is organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art, DiverseWorks Artspace, and the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art and curated by Mark H.C. Bessire, Stuart Horodner, Sara Kellner, and Diane Barber.

    Video still of a figure in glasses wearing a pink dress with black tulle fabric on a small stage. An overturned, white table is siutated to their right, and papers are strewn across the ground. The figure hunches over, looking out towards the audience. Their left hand is bent at their chest and points upwards, while their right hand touches the back of their head.
    [Video still of a figure in glasses wearing a pink dress with black tulle fabric on a small stage. An overturned, white table is siutated to their right, and papers are strewn across the ground. The figure hunches over, looking out towards the audience. Their left hand is bent at their chest and points upwards, while their right hand touches the back of their head.]