Ydessa Hendeles: From her wooden sleep…, ICA
Influential artist-curator Ydessa Hendeles fills the ICA, London with 150 wooden manikins in a spine-tingling new London contemporary art show
Ydessa Hendeles, From her wooden sleep…, 2013 (detail). Photo by Robert Keziere
Ydessa Hendeles exhibition 2015
This spring the ICA welcomes the German-born Canadian artist and collector, Ydessa Hendeles into its heart. This curious new show explores curating as an artistic practice itself. The focal piece is an arrangement of 150 wooden manikins, which were collected by Hendeles over the past two decades. Ranging from pocket to life sized, the manikins stand in a circle gazing inwards at a central figure. The result is a powerful and thought provoking, and rich in potential interpretations when we learn that the oldest of the manikins is from as far back as 1530.
Ydessa Hendeles biography
From her wooden sleep…is a captivating new step in Hendeles’ already renowned career. She is celebrated as both an artist and curator, having carved her own niche in the art world with psychologically arresting and often site-specific installations. Famous exhibitions include the Ydessa Hendeles The Wedding show (2012) where a series of polaroid photos by Walker Evans were seen in the cathedral-like, monumental space of the Andrea Rosen Gallery. And you might have heard about the Ydessa Hendeles Teddy Bear Project at the Gwangju Art Biennale 2010 where 3,000 photographs of teddy bears dating from 1900-1940 were displayed.
This eerie show at the ICA shows Ydessa Hendeles as her most provocative curatorial self.
This spring the ICA welcomes the German-born Canadian artist and collector, Ydessa Hendeles into its heart. This curious new show explores curating as an artistic practice itself. The focal piece is an arrangement of 150 wooden manikins, which were collected by Hendeles over the past two decades. Ranging from pocket to life sized, the manikins stand in a circle gazing inwards at a central figure. The result is a powerful and thought provoking, and rich in potential interpretations when we learn that the oldest of the manikins is from as far back as 1530.
Ydessa Hendeles biography
From her wooden sleep…is a captivating new step in Hendeles’ already renowned career. She is celebrated as both an artist and curator, having carved her own niche in the art world with psychologically arresting and often site-specific installations. Famous exhibitions include the Ydessa Hendeles The Wedding show (2012) where a series of polaroid photos by Walker Evans were seen in the cathedral-like, monumental space of the Andrea Rosen Gallery. And you might have heard about the Ydessa Hendeles Teddy Bear Project at the Gwangju Art Biennale 2010 where 3,000 photographs of teddy bears dating from 1900-1940 were displayed.
This eerie show at the ICA shows Ydessa Hendeles as her most provocative curatorial self.
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| What | Ydessa Hendeles: From her wooden sleep…, ICA |
| Where | Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Piccadilly Circus (underground) |
| When |
25 Mar 15 – 17 May 15, 11am – 6pm, except Thursday, 11am – 9pm |
| Price | £1 with Day-Membership |
| Website | Click here for more details |