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Frankenstein’s Birthday Party
23 June - 11 August 2018
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Frankenstein’s Birthday Party

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Overview
Frankenstein’s Birthday Party

2018 is the bicentennial of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.  Why does a 200-year-old ghost story continue to feel so relevant? It’s important to remember that the Frankenstein of Hollywood and pop culture – Boris Karloff, The Munsters or Rocky Horror Picture Show – is quite different from the novel. Beyond the fact that the tale has captured popular imagination, the novel’s lasting impact is grounded in the fact that it is a parable about human nature.  And the most important question it asks is who is the real monster?

 

The exhibition begins, as it must, with contemporary artists looking at the body and our attempts to conquer death; advances in science and technology; the animation of objects or machines and artificial intelligence. Thence comes an examination of ambition that outstrips the ability to understand or control what we’ve created and finally, what happens when we don’t take responsibility for the consequences of our actions.

 

Central to both the novel and the curatorial stance of this exhibition is the failure to feel empathy for the ostensibly unlovable — the other.  Who is to blame for the rage born of feelings of rejection and how do we expect that anger to play out in society?

 

Artists include Janine Antoni, Rina Banerjee, Louise Bourgeois, Julian Charrière, Edmund Clark, Bruce Conner, Russell Crotty, Tim Hawkinson, Isabella Kirkland, Barbara Kruger, Michael Light, John O’Reilly, Patricia Piccinini, Alan Rath, Kiki Smith, Surabhi Saraf and Cornelius Völker.

 

A performance by Surabhi Saraf – Awoke.ai : The Ritual –  took place during the opening reception.

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Works
  • Edmund Clark Autopsy Table, Naval Base Mortuary, Guantanamo, 2009 chromogenic print 48 1/8 x 59 7/8 in 122.2 x 152.1 cm
    Edmund Clark
    Autopsy Table, Naval Base Mortuary, Guantanamo, 2009
    chromogenic print
    48 1/8 x 59 7/8 in
    122.2 x 152.1 cm
  • Janine Antoni to return, 2015 polyurethane resin 37 x 17 x 17 in 94 x 43.2 x 43.2 cm
    Janine Antoni
    to return, 2015
    polyurethane resin
    37 x 17 x 17 in
    94 x 43.2 x 43.2 cm
  • Rina Banerjee Native, migrant naturally, 2018 vintage silk wedding sari with gold thread brocade, vintage brass claw furniture cap, steel, copper leaf, copper nails, wood, silk, cotton, sequins, gourd, polyester threads, wax, cowry shells, Victorian doll, eyelashes, silk trim, pheasant feathers on felt hat plates 26 x 13 x 24 in 66 x 33 x 61 cm
    Rina Banerjee
    Native, migrant naturally, 2018
    vintage silk wedding sari with gold thread brocade, vintage brass claw furniture cap, steel, copper leaf, copper nails, wood, silk, cotton, sequins, gourd, polyester threads, wax, cowry shells, Victorian doll, eyelashes, silk trim, pheasant feathers on felt hat plates
    26 x 13 x 24 in
    66 x 33 x 61 cm
  • Patricia Piccinini Egg/Head, 2016 silicone, human hair 17 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 in 45.1 x 29.8 x 29.8 cm
    Patricia Piccinini
    Egg/Head, 2016
    silicone, human hair
    17 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 in
    45.1 x 29.8 x 29.8 cm
  • Tim Hawkinson Torso, 2018 shopping bags, urethane foam 20 x 12 x 8 in 50.8 x 30.5 x 20.3 cm
    Tim Hawkinson
    Torso, 2018
    shopping bags, urethane foam
    20 x 12 x 8 in
    50.8 x 30.5 x 20.3 cm
  • John O'Reilly To Patrick (1975-1997) #16, 1998 polaroid montage 9 1/2 x 7 1/4 in 24.1 x 18.4 cm
    John O'Reilly
    To Patrick (1975-1997) #16, 1998
    polaroid montage
    9 1/2 x 7 1/4 in
    24.1 x 18.4 cm
  • John O'Reilly Circean Study #2, 1998 polaroid montage 8 1/4 x 7 3/8 in 20.8 x 18.6 cm
    John O'Reilly
    Circean Study #2, 1998
    polaroid montage
    8 1/4 x 7 3/8 in
    20.8 x 18.6 cm
  • John O'Reilly Mused 2.09.91, 1991 polaroid montage 3 3/4 x 12 3/4 in 9.5 x 32.4 cm
    John O'Reilly
    Mused 2.09.91, 1991
    polaroid montage
    3 3/4 x 12 3/4 in
    9.5 x 32.4 cm
  • Kiki Smith Rosary, 1994 white bronze and silicon bronze approx. 86 inches in length/472.4 cm
    Kiki Smith
    Rosary, 1994
    white bronze and silicon bronze
    approx. 86 inches in length/472.4 cm
  • Isabella Kirkland Dolly's Perfectly Healthy Co-clones, 2018 oil and alkyd on panel 16 x 20 in 40.6 x 50.8 cm
    Isabella Kirkland
    Dolly's Perfectly Healthy Co-clones, 2018
    oil and alkyd on panel
    16 x 20 in
    40.6 x 50.8 cm
  • Isabella Kirkland Transgenic Mice, 2018 oil, alkyd, and phosphorescent pigment on panel 12 x 16 in 30.5 x 40.6 cm
    Isabella Kirkland
    Transgenic Mice, 2018
    oil, alkyd, and phosphorescent pigment on panel
    12 x 16 in
    30.5 x 40.6 cm
  • Patricia Piccinini The Struggle, 2017 fiberglass, auto paint, leather, steel, scooter parts 78 3/4 x 94 1/2 x 47 1/4 in 200 x 240 x 120 cm
    Patricia Piccinini
    The Struggle, 2017
    fiberglass, auto paint, leather, steel, scooter parts
    78 3/4 x 94 1/2 x 47 1/4 in
    200 x 240 x 120 cm
  • Small red cylinder with three red wires and three round monitors displaying blinking eyes in different colors.
    Alan Rath
    Eyeris IX, 2017
    birch plywood, acrylic, polyethylene, aluminum, custom electronics, LCDs
    87 x 60 x 10 in
    221 x 152.4 x 25.4 cm
  • Kiki Smith Answer, 1996 porcelain and wire 2 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 2 7/8 in 6.3 x 31.8 x 7.3 cm
    Kiki Smith
    Answer, 1996
    porcelain and wire
    2 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 2 7/8 in
    6.3 x 31.8 x 7.3 cm
  • John O'Reilly Dada Kindergraphs, 1993 polaroid and silver print photo montage 7 3/4 x 15 in 19.7 x 38.1 cm
    John O'Reilly
    Dada Kindergraphs, 1993
    polaroid and silver print photo montage
    7 3/4 x 15 in
    19.7 x 38.1 cm
  • John O'Reilly Double in Marble, 1988 polaroid montage 3 3/4 x 8 1/4 in 9.5 x 21 cm
    John O'Reilly
    Double in Marble, 1988
    polaroid montage
    3 3/4 x 8 1/4 in
    9.5 x 21 cm
  • John O'Reilly French Self-Portrait, 1991 polaroid montage 3 3/4 x 11 1/8 in 9.5 x 28.3 cm
    John O'Reilly
    French Self-Portrait, 1991
    polaroid montage
    3 3/4 x 11 1/8 in
    9.5 x 28.3 cm
  • Janine Antoni to twine, 2015 polyurethane resin 18 x 48 1/2 x 72 in 45.7 x 123.2 x 182.9 cm
    Janine Antoni
    to twine, 2015
    polyurethane resin
    18 x 48 1/2 x 72 in
    45.7 x 123.2 x 182.9 cm
  • Tim Hawkinson Pink Bike, 2010 inkjet prints and urethane foam on panel 52 x 41 in 132.1 x 104.1 cm
    Tim Hawkinson
    Pink Bike, 2010
    inkjet prints and urethane foam on panel
    52 x 41 in
    132.1 x 104.1 cm
  • Russell Crotty The Moon is My Friend, 2018 ink, acrylic, plastic, tinted bio-resin and fiberglass on paper on wood 24 x 24 x 7/8 in 61 x 61 x 2.2 cm
    Russell Crotty
    The Moon is My Friend, 2018
    ink, acrylic, plastic, tinted bio-resin and fiberglass on paper on wood
    24 x 24 x 7/8 in
    61 x 61 x 2.2 cm
  • Alan Rath Creature II, 2012 aluminum, FR-4, Delrin, custom electronics, motor, feather, LCD 25 x 13 x 44 in 63.5 x 33 x 111.8 cm
    Alan Rath
    Creature II, 2012
    aluminum, FR-4, Delrin, custom electronics, motor, feather, LCD
    25 x 13 x 44 in
    63.5 x 33 x 111.8 cm
  • Edmund Clark Camp 6, Mobile Force-feeding Chair, Guantanamo, 2009 chromogenic print 59 7/8 x 48 1/8 in 152.1 x 122.2 cm
    Edmund Clark
    Camp 6, Mobile Force-feeding Chair, Guantanamo, 2009
    chromogenic print
    59 7/8 x 48 1/8 in
    152.1 x 122.2 cm
  • William T. Wiley Cartoon for the Dreamer, 1986 pencil and crayon on paper 64 x 59 1/4 in 162.6 x 150.5 cm
    William T. Wiley
    Cartoon for the Dreamer, 1986
    pencil and crayon on paper
    64 x 59 1/4 in
    162.6 x 150.5 cm
  • Surabhi Saraf Awoke, 2018, 2018 two BrightSign players, iridescent acrylic and molded foam 62 3/8 x 38 x 21 in 158.4 x 96.5 x 53.3 cm
    Surabhi Saraf
    Awoke, 2018, 2018
    two BrightSign players, iridescent acrylic and molded foam
    62 3/8 x 38 x 21 in
    158.4 x 96.5 x 53.3 cm
  • Julian Charrière An Invitation to Disappear - Sorong, 2018 pigment print 59 1/8 x 73 7/8 in 150.2 x 187.6 cm
    Julian Charrière
    An Invitation to Disappear - Sorong, 2018
    pigment print
    59 1/8 x 73 7/8 in
    150.2 x 187.6 cm
  • Michael Light 100 SUNS: 037 ZUCCHINI, 2003 pigment print mounted on aluminum 16 x 19 3/4 in 40.6 x 50.2 cm
    Michael Light
    100 SUNS: 037 ZUCCHINI, 2003
    pigment print mounted on aluminum
    16 x 19 3/4 in
    40.6 x 50.2 cm
  • Michael Light 100 SUNS: 098 APACHE, 2003 pigment print mounted on aluminum 32 x 40 in 81.3 x 101.6 cm
    Michael Light
    100 SUNS: 098 APACHE, 2003
    pigment print mounted on aluminum
    32 x 40 in
    81.3 x 101.6 cm
  • Michael Light 100 SUNS: 091 APACHE, 2003 pigment print mounted on aluminum 24 x 30 in 61 x 76.2 cm
    Michael Light
    100 SUNS: 091 APACHE, 2003
    pigment print mounted on aluminum
    24 x 30 in
    61 x 76.2 cm
  • Michael Light 100 SUNS: 063 KING, 2003 pigment print mounted on aluminum 16 x 20 in 40.6 x 50.8 cm
    Michael Light
    100 SUNS: 063 KING, 2003
    pigment print mounted on aluminum
    16 x 20 in
    40.6 x 50.8 cm
  • Michael Light 100 SUNS: 035 PRISCILLA, 2003 pigment print mounted on aluminum 12 1/4 x 16 in 31.1 x 40.6 cm
    Michael Light
    100 SUNS: 035 PRISCILLA, 2003
    pigment print mounted on aluminum
    12 1/4 x 16 in
    31.1 x 40.6 cm
  • Patricia Piccinini The Comforter, 2010 silicone, fiberglass, steel, fox fur, human hair, clothing 23 5/8 x 31 1/2 x 31 1/2 in 60 x 80 x 80 cm
    Patricia Piccinini
    The Comforter, 2010
    silicone, fiberglass, steel, fox fur, human hair, clothing
    23 5/8 x 31 1/2 x 31 1/2 in
    60 x 80 x 80 cm
  • Edmund Clark The Mountains of Majeed 5, 2014 chromogenic print 44 7/8 x 59 7/8 in 114 x 152.1 cm
    Edmund Clark
    The Mountains of Majeed 5, 2014
    chromogenic print
    44 7/8 x 59 7/8 in
    114 x 152.1 cm
  • Bruce Conner BOMBHEAD, 2002/1989 pigment and acrylic on paper a printer's proof aside from the edition of 20 38 3/8 x 31 1/8 in 97.5 x 79.1 cm
    Bruce Conner
    BOMBHEAD, 2002/1989
    pigment and acrylic on paper
    a printer's proof aside from the edition of 20
    38 3/8 x 31 1/8 in
    97.5 x 79.1 cm
  • Cornelius Völker Heckler & Koch USP, 2014 oil on canvas 39 3/8 x 41 3/8 in 100 x 105.1 cm
    Cornelius Völker
    Heckler & Koch USP, 2014
    oil on canvas
    39 3/8 x 41 3/8 in
    100 x 105.1 cm
  • Michael Light 100 SUNS: 054 ERIE, 2003 pigment print mounted on aluminum 12 1/4 x 16 in 31.1 x 40.6 cm
    Michael Light
    100 SUNS: 054 ERIE, 2003
    pigment print mounted on aluminum
    12 1/4 x 16 in
    31.1 x 40.6 cm
Installation Views
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Press
  • "Frankenstein’s Birthday Party," 2018, installation view

    Best of 2018

    David M. Roth, Squarecylinder, December 22, 2018
  • "Frankenstein’s Birthday Party," 2018, installation view

    Frankenstein’s Birthday Party @ Hosfelt

    Justin Manley, Squarecylinder, July 20, 2018
  • Rina Banerjee, "Native, migrant naturally," 2018, installation view

    Summer exhibition at Hosfelt Gallery a monstrous affair

    Charles Desmarais, San Francisco Chronicle, July 6, 2018

Related artists

  • Rina Banerjee

    Rina Banerjee

  • Bruce Conner

    Bruce Conner

  • Russell Crotty

    Russell Crotty

  • Tim Hawkinson

    Tim Hawkinson

  • Isabella Kirkland

    Isabella Kirkland

  • John O'Reilly

    John O'Reilly

  • Patricia Piccinini

    Patricia Piccinini

  • a gif file showing Rath's sculpture Positively opening and closing its arms and Rath's Looking Glass II blinking

    Alan Rath

  • Surabhi Saraf

    Surabhi Saraf

  • Cornelius Völker

    Cornelius Völker

  • William T. Wiley

    William T. Wiley

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