adel abdessemed: who’s afraid of the big bad wolf

'hope', 2011-2012 by adel abdessemed in 'who's afraid of the big bad wolf'
refugee boat and resin
81 x 96 x 228 inches
courtesy the artist and david zwirner, new york


adel abdessemed: who's afraid of the big bad wolf
david zwirner gallery, new york, USA
on now until march 17th, 2012

algerian-born and paris-based artist adel abdessemed has created 'who's afraid of the big bad wolf' at david zwirner.
the installation, which inhabits both the 525 and 533 west 19th street spaces, is comprised of sculptural and video works which seek
to transform mundane materials into an eloquent critique of the highly globalized modern world. the exhibition explores the concepts
of violence and the spectator in the current global stage.



installation view of adel abdessemed 'who's afraid of the big bad wolf' at david zwirner, new york
courtesy the artist and david zwirner, new york


the boat in 'hope' was found abandoned on a beach in the florida keys of the united states of america. this type of vessel is typically used
for the transport of illegal immigrants from one country to another, pursing a new life in a new nation at the risk of their personal well-being.
abdessemed has filled the boat with black sacks cast in polyurethane resin from real stuffed garbage bags. the piece alludes
to the ominous painting 'the wreck of hope' by caspar david friedrich which portrays a boat having been wrecked amongst
a group of jagged icebergs. the artist believes the analogy between trash and former passengers of this repurposed vessel
will add a visually actualized representation of 'truth' rather than 'hope' to the ongoing political conversation about issues
of immigration and lack of humanity.



installation view of 'coup de tête', 2012, resin, 88 1/2 x 62 x 37 1/2 inches in the foreground with
'who's afraid of the big bad wolf', 2011-2012, taxidermy, steel, and wire, 143 x 307 inches in the background
courtesy the artist and david zwirner, new york

in 'coup de tête', abdessemed has created a sculptural representation capturing the moment in which french footballer zinedine zidane
headbutted italian player marco materazzi during the 2006 world cup final in germany.the artist harnesses the obsessive interest
in the personal events taking place in this sport, and in more general television culture, occurring outside of the confines of the set
entertaining media. the sculpture speaks to the themes of violence, aggression and spectatorship present throughout the exhibition.

the wall-sculptural installation, 'who's afraid of the big bad wolf', is the piece for which the installation is named. the massive work
is comprised of taxidermy animals which have been burnt to a darkened red-black color palate. the alteration of the taxidermic wolves
represent unnecessary casualties of war and the effect of bloodshed on civilians. abdessemed was influenced by the 'who's afraid of yellow,
red and blue' series by american painter barnett newman and the dimensions and themes of 'guernica' by spanish artist pablo picasso.

installation view of 'décour', 2011-2012
razor wire
four elements
88 x 68 1/2 x 16 inches


'décour' is a collection of four to scale representations of jesus on the cross. the piece references ancient history, religious iconography
and contemporary perceptions of these concepts. the work also maintains a modern and slightly removed sensibility in the use
of four figures rather than the three of the holy trinity. the fourth crucified christ is not a religious fetish, but rather relates to consumption.
each of the four forms of the piece are constructed from razor wire and modeled after renaissance painter matthias grunewald's 'crucifixion'
and displayed very near to the gallery goer, rather than the typical positioning of this figure, raised above its audience.
in the positioning and repetition of the four christs in 'décour', the viewer is able to more readily question their relationship
with the religious icon and the material from which they were formed.



detail view of 'décour' by adel abdessemed in 'who's afraid of the big bad wolf' at david zwirner, new york
all images courtesy the artist and david zwirner, new york



installation view of adel abdessemed 'who's afraid of the big bad wolf' at david zwirner, new york
courtesy the artist and david zwirner, new york



'la grande parade', 2011-2012
charcoal on paper
40 drawings
dimensions variable (drawings range from 23 1/2 x 31 1/2 inches)
courtesy the artist and david zwirner, new york


the loose charcoal sketches of 'la grande parade' picture animals such as porcupines, birds, tortoises and weasels sporting sticks
of dynamite strapped to their small backs. abdessemed conveys the connection between the first age of gesture found
in cave drawings to the loose renderings of natural life accomplished in the present day.



installation view of adel abdessemed 'who's afraid of the big bad wolf' at david zwirner, new york
courtesy the artist and david zwirner, new york