IN THE CASE OF ALL CITIES / 09/04/10 - 06/05/10
MATTHEW PICTON
Private view: Thursday 8th April / 6 - 9pm
Exhibition runs: Friday 9th April to Thursday 6th May / 10am - 6pm (Mon to Sat) / 11am - 5pm (Sun)
Location: 6 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1Y 6NH
In the case of all cities, and at all times, the aesthetic of the city plan has formed a unique record of social, political and historical change and development. Through depictions of map-like schemas of modern agglomerations, Matthew Picton captures the recent development of civilisation the rapid growth and change of urban space. Using the depopulated aesthetic of the map or town planners model as a point of departure, Picton's work is about far more than the urban environment alone. The appearance of a city itself is of course a very human thing; aside from the effect of natural disasters every change is a direct result of human action or inaction. Therefore Pictons work, which cites key points within the development of cities, can tell us a lot about ourselves as humans, as societies and as civilisations.
The work Collective Fictions is based on a city map of contemporary Tehran in which the boundaries of buildings are made out of book covers. These titles have been ritualistically burned in an ongoing program of censorship in Iran- the banned books are predominantly works of fiction and even include such seemingly innocuous titles such as Girl with a Pearl Earring. This representation of Tehran, a city of crucial importance in political debate, was painstakingly created by the artist only to be partially destroyed by his own hand. The burns through the walls of the intricately constructed cityscape evoke not just the burning of books within the city, but also a possible future vision of the immense destruction of potential conflict within that region.
Although much of Pictons work depicts city maps with unlabelled streets, Berlin Text Work 1942, 1962, 2007' focuses on the nomenclature of the city. The names of many Berlin streets, squares, and areas have changed between the dates 1942, 1962, and 2007. The city labels that are normally stripped out in the distilling process of Pictons practice are highlighted in this work as they provide an astonishing insight into the effects of the change of political orders. The story of Berlin told through its nomenclature is emblematic of the major themes in the history of the twentieth century; history is written layer upon layer, new names overlapping the pre-existing terms and showing their relativity.
Using the scientific process of cartography and extensive research, Picton's work shows a contemporary vision of the past that is far from the biased personal opinions of historicism. However, despite this scientific aspect, the wall mounted quasi-sculptures portray our homes and cities from a new angle, allowing us a fresh look at urbanisation and the human condition in a way that only art can. While the works deal with our often problematic past and future, there is no escaping the subtle beauty of his visions. Alluring patterns emerge, ordered or chaotic, pristine or in flames; viewed through the lens of Pictons work each city reveals its own distinct aesthetic, shaped by its unique human history.
Matthew Picton is a graduate of the London School of Economics. Solo exhibitions include City Planning, Solway Jones Gallery, Los Angeles (2009), Postwar Landscape, An Urban History, Howard House, Seattle (2009), Byron C Cohen Gallery, Kansas City (2007), Mark Woolley Gallery, Portland (2005), Damien B Contemporary Art, Miami (2004) and the Center for Contemporary Art, Anchorage (2000). Group shows include The Map as Art, Christopher Henry Gallery, New York (2009), Bakers Dozen, The Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA (2009), Contested Ground, Museum of Art, Spokane (2008), Miniature Worlds, The Brewery Art Center, Los Angeles (2004), Indoor Outdoor, Limn Gallery, San Francisco (2003) and 5 Abstract Painters, Lindenberg Gallery, New York (1998). The artists work is held in a number of private and public collections including the De Young Museum, San Francisco.
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Matthew Picton In The Case Of All Cities
Private view: Thursday 8th April / 6 - 9pm
Exhibition runs: Friday 9th April to Thursday 6th May / 10am - 6pm (Mon to Sat) / 11am - 5pm (Sun)
6 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1Y 6NH
(off Piccadilly, opposite the Royal Academy of Arts)
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Also showing: an installation by Tim Phillips on the lower ground floor.
