Artists Space

Michael Asher / James Coleman

June 2 – July 2, 1988

Artists Space presents a two-person exhibition of work by Michael Asher and James Coleman. This exhibition was organized by Artists Space curator, Valerie Smith.

A black and white film still of two people in period dress. One lies on a patterned couch, wrapped in sheets, while the other stands observing. Above the couch, a mirror on the wall reflects the scene to the camera.
James Coleman. Still from Seeing for Oneself, 1987-88. Slideshow (black and white), 40 min. [A black and white film still of two people in period dress. One lies on a patterned couch, wrapped in sheets, while the other stands observing. Above the couch, a mirror on the wall reflects the scene to the camera.]

A corner of a white ceiling is crossed by silver electrical tubing. A single lightbulb is affixed to one tube and is aimed at the ceiling, illuminating a circle of the ceiling only a few inches above it.
Michael Asher, Installation view, Artists Space, 1988. [A corner of a white ceiling is crossed by silver electrical tubing. A single lightbulb is affixed to one tube and is aimed at the ceiling, illuminating a circle of the ceiling only a few inches above it.]
A black and white film still of four people in period dress standing in from of an ornately carved fireplace. The people stand in two pairs, apparently engaged in conversation.
James Coleman. Still from Seeing for Oneself, 1987-88. Slideshow (black and white), 40 min. [A black and white film still of four people in period dress standing in from of an ornately carved fireplace. The people stand in two pairs, apparently engaged in conversation.]
A black and white film still of four people in period dress sprawled on a curving stone stairwell. Two of these people appear to have fainted, and are supported by the other two. At the top of the stairs, a person in a maid
James Coleman. Still from Seeing for Oneself, 1987-88. Slideshow (black and white), 40 min. [A black and white film still of four people in period dress sprawled on a curving stone stairwell. Two of these people appear to have fainted, and are supported by the other two. At the top of the stairs, a person in a maid's costume peeks around the corner, observing.]
A black and white film still of two people in period dress engaged in conversation at the far end of an ornate allway lit by candlelight. In the foreground, a person in a maid
James Coleman. Still from Seeing for Oneself, 1987-88. Slideshow (black and white), 40 min. [A black and white film still of two people in period dress engaged in conversation at the far end of an ornate allway lit by candlelight. In the foreground, a person in a maid's costume peeks around one end of a colonnade, observing.]
A black and white film still of a person with a white beard wearing an apron seated in front of a workbench covered in glass bottles and scientific instruments. He holds an hourglass and the wall behind him is lined with dials.
James Coleman. Still from Seeing for Oneself, 1987-88. Slideshow (black and white), 40 min. [A black and white film still of a person with a white beard wearing an apron seated in front of a workbench covered in glass bottles and scientific instruments. He holds an hourglass and the wall behind him is lined with dials.]
A black and white film still of a person lying against embroidered pillows. Another person sits alongside her and holds a mirror up to her face, reflecting it towards the camera.
James Coleman. Still from Seeing for Oneself, 1987-88. Slideshow (black and white), 40 min. [A black and white film still of a person lying against embroidered pillows. Another person sits alongside her and holds a mirror up to her face, reflecting it towards the camera.]

Michael Asher / James Coleman Press Release

Michael Asher / James Coleman Announcement

Michael Asher / James Coleman Catalogue

James Coleman, Seeing for Oneself Credits

Artists Space programs are made possible by: the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, New York State Council on the Arts, and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; AT&T Foundation, Inc., The David Bermant Foundation: Color, Light, Motion, The Bohen Foundation, The Cowles Charitable Trust, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts, Inc., Horace w. Goldsmith Foundation, The Greenwall Foundation, Jerome Foundation, The J.M. Kaplan Fund, The Dorothea L. Leonhardt Foundation, Inc., The Joe and Emily Lowe Foundation, Inc., The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, The Menemsha Fund, Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation, Betty Parsons Foundation, The Reed Foundation, Inc., The Rockefeller Foundation, The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc., and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.; American Express Company, The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., Equitable Real Estate Group, Inc., General Atlantic Corporation, R.H. Macy and Company, Inc., Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Philip Morris Companies Inc., and U.S. Trust Company of New York; as well as Artwatch, Galleries in Support of Artists Space, Members and numerous Friends.

Artists Space is a member of the National Association of Artists Organizations (NAAO) and the National Alliance of Media Arts Centers (NAMAC).