Power of Repetition

Repetition in art has been a fascinating method used by artists to redefine tradition. The exhibition "Power of Repetition" showcases renowned artists who have deliberately incorporated artistic or technical recurrence as the main subject of their work, sparking discussions around originality, authenticity, and appropriation in art history.

The exhibition delves into the works of BMPT, a collective founded in 1967 by Daniel Buren, Olivier Mosset, Michel Parmentier, and Niele Toroni. BMPT challenged notions of authorship, emphasizing the significance of the artwork itself over its origin. They embraced practical systems and neutral repetitive patterns, such as Buren's stripes, Mosset's circles, and Toroni's paintbrush imprints, which are explored as pivotal artworks in the field of repetition.

During the same period, Carl Andre revolutionized sculpture by creating flat, ground-level works instead of traditional upright structures. Viewers were invited to walk upon these sculptures, experiencing different materials and perceiving the distinction between being inside or outside the artwork's boundaries. George Rickey, working with metal, engineered sculptures with moving parts that responded to subtle air currents, showcasing his mastery of abstract kinetic sculptures.

The exhibition also features Allan McCollum's iconic piece, "Perfect Vehicles," created in 1985. These sculptures, resembling antique Chinese ginger jars, are displayed in groupings of various colors and sizes, each being identical in shape but unique based on the quantity and color arrangement.

Notably, the works of Ron Gorchov and Stanley Whitney have regained attention. Gorchov's richly colored paintings on curved stretcher bars evoke concave surfaces reminiscent of Bronze Age shields or sarcophagus masks. Whitney explores the potential of color through ever-shifting grids of multi-hued blocks, allowing color patterns to dictate the structure.

Other artists, such as Peter Joseph and Alan Charlton, have focused on monochromatic expressions. Joseph's meditative two-color paintings from the 1970s create perfect symmetry, reflecting time, mood, and place. Charlton has been dedicated to painting grey monochromes since the early 1970s, emphasizing physicality, uniformity, and spatiality in his works.

Finally, the exhibition showcases one of Yves Klein's iconic ultramarine blue artworks. Throughout his career, Klein believed in the power of color as the primary subject, incorporating the vibrant International Klein Blue into various mediums.

"Power of Repetition" explores the impact and significance of repetition in art, featuring diverse artists who have contributed to reshaping artistic traditions and raising questions about art's nature and meaning.