Esther Shalev-Gerz exhibition coming to The Wolfsonian–FIU

The Wolfsonian–FIU presents “Describing Labor,” by Esther Shalev-Gerz. The exhibition will be on view from Dec. 3 through April 7, 2013. The work features rough new works of video, audio, photography and text rooted in The Wolfsonian’s extensive collection of materials depicting work and working figures. Internationally recognized for projects that address the most pressing challenges of collective memory, political identity and historical space, Shalev-Gerz conceived “Describing Labor” following her 2011 residency at the museum.

Esther Shalev-Gerv, Describing Labor, Grinding Metal Castings, 2012 (detail). Color photograph. 39 3/8 x 51 1/8 inches.

“Esther’s body of work is rich and provocative, asking us to explore deeply what surrounds us, both in terms of visual culture and present-day thought,” says Marianne Lamonaca, The Wolfsonian’s associate director for curatorial affairs and education. “She has opened up a new dialog with our historical collection that broadens our understanding of the role of the work of art in history and its resonance today.”

Shalev-Gerz gathered 41 objects that depict the figure of the laborer – paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs and rare publications – the majority drawn from The Wolfsonian’s collection. She invited 24 participants to select an item and describe its depiction while she filmed them, “letting the image talk through them,” she explains. Participants were also filmed while listening to a voice recording of museum founder Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. reading research material about the object. Shalev-Gerz then asked each participant to place the selected work in the museum’s storage racks, where she photographed its representation of labor in situ with other products of labor, such as furniture suites, decorative arts and industrial objects from The Wolfsonian’s collection.

“Describing Labor” was commissioned and organized by The Wolfsonian and timed to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach. It was made possible by Gary L. Wasserman with additional support from the Adam Sender Charitable Trust and The Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation.

For more information about this exhibit, visit The Wolfsonian-FIU.