Due to the pandemic, an exhibition of our work at Public Space One in Iowa City had to be postponed. Scheduled to coincide with the run up to the US Election, we had planned to make illusions and installations that draw attention to social and economic inequality in the US, reminding visitors that elections provide them with an opportunity to support or reject the socio-economic policies of the current government. Fortunately, the gallery team offered us the opportunity to present some work outside the gallery, as part of Iowa City Downtown Gallery Walk. We produced a transatlantic zoom performance video and a sculptural installation, both of which are on display outside the gallery until the election.
Press Release:
Iowa City, IA — Public Space One is pleased to announce its October 2020 gallery exhibition, Dancing For Good, by Hard Stop (a transatlantic art duo composed of Davin Watne & Dawn Woolley). The exhibition will run from Oct. 2 through Nov. 3 (and the US election), on site at Public Space One (229 N. Gilbert St. Iowa City, IA).
The exhibition comprises two pieces. The most noticeable: 2 Inflatable Air-dancers, 2020, are located on the front lawn of the PS1 house and will be hard to miss. Air-dancers assume the form of the popular promotional tool for retail outlets, comically flapping around to draw the attention of passersby and beckon them towards the products or services that they promote. These Air-dancers are emblazoned with a national call to work together and turn the page on a difficult time. They flap pathetically, yet with hope, outside the gallery, creating a conflicting feeling of political possibility and potential absurdity.
Exercise Your Rights is a two-channel video installation (22min) that will play on loop in the gallery window (accessible outside, during gallery hours, from the front porch of PS1). This work is a tongue-in-cheek exercise video demonstrating a series of exercises dutifully carried out over a Zoom call between the UK and the US, to “evoke a positive experience in electoral democracy.”
Dates & hours on view:
Oct 2-Nov 3, 2020
Wed 4-7p
Thu 4-7p
Fri 4-7p
Sun 1-3pLivestream (virtual reception): A closing reception and interview via Instagram live with the artists toward the end of Oct. Date and time TBA. Check the PS1 website (publicspaceone.com) or Instagram (@p_s_won) for updates.
