Hard to Please
November 7- November 29, 2014
at
Little Berlin
2430 Coral Street, Philadelphia, PA
Opening Reception: November 7th - 6-10pm
Curator: Maddie Hewitt
Performance by BAIT with choreography by Kate Speidel - 8-9pm
Selected artist include: BAIT Stephanie Buresese, WIll Owen, Ga Hee Park, Chiara No,Dani Frid Rossi, Caity Shaffer and Alexander Stewart
Chiara No, Crowning (Queenie), Marker on acid dyed canvas,
cement, cinderblock and galvanize steel post, 2014, 80” x 90”
Hard To Please features artwork exploring relationship power struggles and their contribution to the culture of violence as a result of conflicting mutual desires. The exhibit addresses our human tendency to desire what other people desire, imitate others in order to achieve those desires, and react towards other people taking the things we desire.
The exhibit includes photography, video, painting, collage, performance, a short story and three-course meal by artists living and working in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago and Austin. Each work centers around a relationship dynamic where two or more people--competing athletes, coworkers, romantic partners, a mother and her child, and so on--rival for sole possession of something. Rather than establishing who wins or loses a conflict, the exhibit chooses relationships where the power dynamic is ambiguous.
Based on philosopher Rene Girard’s theory of Mimetic Desire, Girard suggests that all of our desires are borrowed from other people. The word “mimetic” can be directly translated into “using imitative means of representation”. Girard considers mimetic desire--learning to desire what other people desire--to be the origin of a type of conflict that focuses on the destruction of a rival. His theory explains our competitive and envious behavior, which can escalate into physical violence.
Hard To Please is presented in Little Berlin's main gallery from November 7, 2014 - November 29, 2014 with an opening reception on First Friday, November 7 from 6-10PM. There is also an event in conjunction with the exhibit where New York-based artist, Will Owen concludes his time-based plant piece by cooking a three-course meal and serving it in Little Berlin's main gallery. Free and open to the public, the event takes place November 22, 2014 at 8PM.
Gallery Open Hours:
Saturday 12-5pm and during special events including our MONDAZE events every Monday evening at 7pm. Also open by appointment via contacting berlin.little@gmail.com
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