Johannes Schweiger / Group XXXIV, Apr 2012 - Sep 2012

MATERIAL AND CULTURE

9/7/12 to 9/9/12

MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House, 835 N. Kings Rd, West Hollywood

Johannes Schweiger spent his time in Los Angeles focusing on denim as emblematic of modernity and Americanness. Beginning with Levi's riveted overalls, denim pants and their uses – from classic industrial work wear to casual clothes, stage costumes, and eventually high fashion garments – are an important component of our cultural history. To Schweiger, denim is a useful symbol of modern life, at once politically effective and psychologically affective. His installation EXCAVATION examined how wearing denim was once a visual statement (be it one of freedom, labor, rejection of cultural traditions, etc.) that has since degenerated into a broad, ceaselessly branded consumer good and nearly empty signifier. The installation utilized film, silkscreen, a loom, and various denim items to address notions of dominant design vs. design dominance and ponder "how to freeze design."