September 30, 2023 - November 11, 2023
Gallery reception: Saturday, September 30 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm
“Iconoclasm”—the violent if sometimes creative destruction of the icon—is a founding gesture in the history of art. The threat (or more often the overblown fear) of “cancellation” is a more recent development. These and a cluster of related concepts converge in a body of new work by the Dutch born, Los Angeles based artist Joost van Oss.
The artworks proceed according to a strategy that is as powerfully effective as it is modestly simple. They begin life as picture postcards. Often, but not always, the postcards feature an important work of modern or contemporary art. And often, but not always, the postcards are acquired from the art institution where the work is held. The artist then takes the cards and, with a custom-made cutting tool, punches one or more holes in each, an overtly negative act that is ultimately quite positive (and thoroughly aesthetic) in its effect.
As the old modernist argument goes, “art in the age of mechanical reproduction”—these picture postcards most definitely included—gained a mass audience but, in the exchange, lost its “aura.” Now, belatedly, van Oss comes along and, plucking a handful from circulation, takes his sharp cutting tool and modifies each card to make it unique again. Aura restored.
Born in 1956, Joost van Oss exhibited in his native Holland and elsewhere in Europe before being invited by Donald Judd to visit the United States where he has resided since 1994. Between 1997 and 2001, van Oss collaborated with artist Sherrie Levine, the results presented in their joint exhibition at Paula Cooper Gallery in 1999. The artist has held residencies at Marfa (1994), the Getty Research Institute (2000-2001) and the Bogliasco Foundation Genoa, Italy (2004). His work is in the collections of Haags Gemeeente Museum, van Abbe Museum, MFA Houston and the Getty Research Institute, among other places. This is van Oss’ first one person exhibition at as-is.la
Installation views
