Aesthetic Surplus Kompany Presents...

August 22, 2016 - September 16, 2016
Mānoa Campus, Art Buiding, The Art Gallery at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa

Peter Chamberlain, professor of art at the Department of Art + Art History, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), goes all out with "Aesthetic Surplus Kompany Presents . . . ," an unprecedented exhibition of not-yet-realized works that integrate real-time analog video and sound. Constantly modulating events, environments, and performances will be activated by a feedback-responsive analog electronica system that will facilitate real-time interactions between Chamberlain and control elements that respond to movement, sculptural constructions, other interactive scenarios, and performative collaborations with guest artists. Aesthetic surplus from these activities will also be exhibited.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT: Aesthetic Surplus Kompany (A.S.K.) was established in 1976 by Peter Chamberlain, a.k.a. Captain Random, in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Its manifesto stated that art is a verb, not a noun. Art can be witnessed when it is happening in real-time. After that, what we tend to refer to as art is more realistically a commodified document of the act(ion)—more appropriately referred to as aesthetic surplus. Simple.

This exhibition will emphasize that premise and will maintain the integrity of offering witness to real-time creative activity, primarily through either performed or feedback-responsive audio and video systems fed with sculptural props. Aesthetic surplus from such activity will also be presented when real-time activity is not practical.

Ultimately, the challenge to Chamberlain will lie in his ability to actively manipulate the space into a constantly evolving and provocative experience for 23 straight days—a marathon of improvisational activity. Details will be announced as they materialize.

SPECIAL EVENTS: All events and activities are free and open to the public.

Sunday, August 28, The Art Gallery at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Gallery walk-through with Peter Chamberlain

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Reception

Thursday, September 1, The Art Gallery at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Gallery walk-through with Peter Chamberlain

Image: "Iching 44," 2016; digital print; courtesy of the artist.


Ticket Information
Gallery Hours / M-F 10 am – 4 pm; Sun. 12 – 4 pm; Closed Sat. & Sept. 5, Labor Day. Admission to the exhibition is free. Parking fees may apply.

Event Sponsor
Art + Art History, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Sharon Tasaka, 956-6888, gallery@hawaii.edu, http://www.hawaii.edu/art/exhibitions+events/exhibitions/?p=2024

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