The Fourth Stage

The Fourth Stage

Abstract Theory and the Silver Lining of Allegorical Necessity

Aritsts include: Aqua Aqua, Eugenia Apostolou, Martin Durazo, Maria Fragoudaki, Eric Friedmann, Yioula Hadjigeorgiou, Sofia Housou, Dana James, Kathryn Karwat, Douglas Ward Kelley, Peggy Kliafa, Christine de Lignieres, Berdt Naber, Lindsey Nobel, Leoandros Pigades, Lina Pigadioti, Joao Salema, Ashley Taraban, Li Trincere, Johan Wahlstrom, Agni Zotis

Curated by: Eric Friedmann, Sozita Goudouna, and Lee Wells

August 15 - November 15, 2018 Artists reception September 18th, 6-8pm

“today, reality is itself hyperrealistic” Baudrillard

IFAC Arts and The Yard Lower East Side celebrate 5 years of collaboration by presenting a group of international artists pushing the boundaries of abstraction and help lead us into a new historical situation; Super-modernism. This exhibition hopes to clarify some things by creating a non-place, designed to release us from mundane involuntary distractions and assorted spectacles confined by post-modern discourse. Some have said we are discussing alternative forms of conceptual Platonism but they are most likely wrong. The cave never existed. Reality, an infinite reflection of nothing, has no trace and no shadow to inform us, leading us to question shaky allegorical concepts of originality and meaning. The performative experience takes precedence over location, object, and subject, everything is complementary and seeks to create an independent language and dialogue through the totality of the juxtapositions.

We find ourselves here after a long period of silence and dissected judgement, imagining an art beyond desire and sentimentality, somewhere between simulacra and simulation. An art with no relationship to reluctant redundant hyperrealities, existing in a dreamy undefined emotional renaissance without care for symbolic historic placeholders. An art evolved from various forms of perceived purity and truth, aesthetically beautiful but not politically correct. An art which leaves the real world behind for many good reasons, for the things in common rarely outweigh the differences. All of this in turn offers us the liberty to reassert meaning in the fourth stage.

Special thanks to The Yard and Art Program Director Michaeline Sanders. A reception will be held at The Yard Lower East Side Tuesday September 18th from 6-8 pm Viewing Hours: 10:30-5:30 Monday through Friday and by appointment.