Ryan McNamara
Still, February 25 – April 14, 2012
Courtesy of the artist and
Elizabeth Dee, New York
Ryan McNamara will have his first solo
gallery exhibition at Elizabeth Dee from
February 25 – April 14. After considering
the unique conditions of such an enterprise,
he arrived at a solution: a continuation of his
performative practice developing into an exhibition
of art objects, providing an opportunity
to present both sides of his practice.
Really, though, what he wants to do is
share this event. With you. Ryan will be here
every day for three weeks (February 25 –
March 17) waiting. For you. The result of
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Ryan McNamara creates situation-specific works that collectively form an
expanded view of participation within art production. His works involve other artists,
viewers and dance professionals as collaborators. Created before and during
after the performative events, photography and objects are integral to McNamara’s
practice. He forms a uniquely social discourse, developing events that break
with traditional notions of performance and embrace realism and interaction as
necessary aspects of viewing experience. The participants themselves are central
to the primary activity or action and McNamara is the engaged enabler of a situation
he has authored with an undefined final outcome.
your partnership with Ryan will be posted
daily on our website: www.elizabethdee.com
(you’ll get versions in your inbox too). Beyond
a mere record of a collaborative production,
these images will then be recuperated
and transformed into the exhibited artwork.
During the second portion of the project,
(March 20 – April 14), these material
culminations will be on display in the gallery.
Ryan has been training and preparing
for months through the creation of sculptural
prototypes, anticipating a wide variety of outcomes
that could take place in the gallery’s
performance production. He is equally excited
by the fact that, despite all this planning, the
uncertainty of these spontaneous collaborations
will determine the project’s final form.
Speaking of which, some of Ryan’s past
collaborators will be helping him through the
course of the show. During the exhibition portion
of the project, these talented artists have
been invited by Ryan to perform their own
work in the gallery during the final two weeks.
I hope you will join us for this very special
event opening on February 25th and closing
on March 17th. You can walk in anytime or if
you would like to make an appointment, please
feel free to call me personally at 212.924.7545.
The gallery will be open 10-6 Tuesday through
Saturday, or by appointment.
With my regards, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Dee is located at 545 West 20th Street, New York, New York, 10011 t: +1 212 924 7545 info@elizabethdee.com
Welcoming uncertainty, McNamara has enthusiastically and intentionally pursued
temporary and collaborative projects as diverse as biennial exhibitions, museum benefits,
and one night performances in a variety of public and private spaces resulting in a
truly fluid practice that intertwines the art community, social networks and technology.
ELIZABETH DEE NEW MEDIA CHANNEL
STUDIO VISIT: RYAN MCNAMARA
Vimeo
http://vimeo.com/elizabethdeechannel/ryan-mcnamara
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/ElizabethDeeChannel