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PRESS RELEASE
William Wegman
May 22 through July 10, 2004
Dunn and Brown Contemporary is pleased to announce an exhibition of work by William Wegman. The opening of the exhibition will take place on Saturday, May 22, 2004 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The artist will be present for the opening, and the exhibition will continue through Saturday, July 10, 2004.
Known for his keen ability to get dogs, namely his beloved Weimeraners, to pose in a variety of contorted and often humorous poses, William Wegman is something of a phenomenon in the art world. This exhibition includes a selection of recent photographs along with vintage Wegman images. In the late 1970’s Wegman was one of the first artists invited to use Polaroid’s new large-format camera. This monstrous camera has the ability to create unique 20 x 24 inch prints instantly. Wegman has used the camera every year since to capture the madcap scenarios he dreams up.
In Aside, one of 15 large-format Polaroids in the exhibition, two dogs appear to be in the midst of an embrace. Here Wegman captures a quiet moment between two animals who would likely balk at the request to pose in such close proximity if it were coming from any other artist. Perhaps the grandest feat is accomplished in a work titled About Four Thirty. Here, a Weimeraner performs a precarious balancing act in which the dog’s legs function as the hands of a clock where they meet the arm and back of a yellow chair, producing an approximate time of four thirty. In Iceland, one of two triptychs on view, a dog stands, head bowed, covered with paper. His form, revealed under the semi-transparent paper, takes on the shape of an iceberg in this beautiful, stark image.
Five vintage works are included in the exhibition as well. These images, produced in the 1970’s, are often overshadowed by his work with Man Ray and Wegman’s other Weimeraners, but are important images in their own right. The title of the series, Indian In The Refrigerator, refers to an image featuring Wegman outfitted in a feather headdress fumbling to return something to the freezer compartment of a refrigerator overflowing with tulle fabric. In Repair, a man appears to lay under his Volkswagen van with car parts strewn about him on the ground. However, upon closer inspection of these parts, the viewer realizes they are instead an array of household items including a blender, pots and pans, and a rolling pin among other things. As always, Wegman’s work teaches the viewer to expect the unexpected.
This exhibition runs concurrently with the work of video and performance artist Michael Smith, who will show in our Project Gallery space. Wegman and Smith are close friends who have collaborated over the years. Their film effort, World of Photography, a satire on professional photo jargon and accessories, will be shown as well.
Please contact Elizabeth Phy at the gallery for additional information or to request visuals. Dunn and Brown Contemporary is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 until 5:00 and by appointment.