[ISEA2015] Curator Statement: Wil Aballe (WAAP) – QUOTING THE QUOTIDIAN

Curator Statement

Many of the works in this show use specific objects, or readymades, as a material starting point. Readymades make for interesting material for artmaking as they previously were developed  with human user interaction as a key consideration in their creation, necessary innovation that have grown familiar in the day to day.

These objects are also representative of the quotidian, the most ordinary and habitually  unnoticed. They are stand-ins for lives built up habitually in daily experience, by the distillation of ordinary expectations of the world. The quotidian is also a necessary condition for surprise. The works in this exhibition deviate from the ordinary; the result is unfamiliarity, sometimes wonder, sometimes a new understanding. These artists embrace the paradox of seeing the everyday for its commonness, while imbuing their works with latent possibilities for transformation to further human experience.

In time for ISEA2015, a number of electronic or digital-based works will be on display, interspersed with works of more traditional media. Daniel Kent, an artist residing in Brooklyn, NY, will exhibit Articulating Blind Movement #1, a sculpture motorized to humorous effect and witty sculptures derived from iPhone forms. Vancouverbased Nicolas Sassoon is considering exhibiting a physical object translation of his animated gif moire pattern works. Marisa Olson, also from New York City, will be exhibiting two works from her Time Capsule series, works that have been aptly described as media archaeology.

WAAP is now located near Clark and Hastings at 1356 Frances St, in a semi-industrial space that provides new opportunities for a multivalent set of ambitious presentations.

  • Wil Aballe is the founder and director of Wil Aballe Art Projects, or WAAP, Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2013,  WAAP exhibits an emerging and established array of internationally-renowned artists, but most notably, the younger generation of Vancouver art practitioners. The program is comprised of a series of “art projects”, interdisciplinary, concept oriented and space-based exhibitions in a variety of media including sculpture, video, sound, painting, printmaking, photography and performance. Its editions program feature contributions by the brightest Canadian artists internationally and are coveted by collectors. During its inaugural 2 years, WAAP was located in a live-work studio in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant and was conceived to be both a private and public art viewing experience. The gallery held solo, duo and curated group exhibitions, as well as site-specific pop up shows in venues such as the Burrard Arts Foundation, Gallery 295 and South Creek Landing. It also hosts performances and lectures several times a year.