T. J. Wilcox Introduces Three New Films at Metro Pictures

Written by Franklin Sherman Friday, 18 November 2011 00:02

NEW YORK, NY.- For his May 2010 exhibition at Metro Pictures, T. J. Wilcox introduces three new films: The Heir and Astaire, L'eau de Vie, and Yours, Patsy Cline along with related, large photographic collages. One film is projected in each of the gallery rooms and the photographic pieces are mounted in strips on freestanding, hinged wood panels, or folding screens. Wilcox extends his singular method of recruiting idiosyncratic subjects for scrutiny in his art works, mining their significance, and reducing and refining each to a visual and narrative essence. The subjects are representative of his personal, varied interests and provide the base for reflection on their expanded significance.

The Heir and Astaire is a biographical study of Adele Astaire, sister and dance partner of Fred, and the biggest vaudeville star of her day. In 1932, Adele married the son of the Duke of Devonshire, retiring from her career as a dancer to become Lady Charles Cavendish. The film tells the story of Adele's real life version of American show business meets English aristocracy, taking up residence at the enormous and ancient Lismore Castle in the Irish countryside. The film combines period film and still images along with video made by Wilcox at the castle and his interview with the 90-year-old Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, who was the last family member that knew Adele during her Lismore period.

L'eau de Vie is a three episode allusion to nature films that comprises a tale of a young girl who discovers an endangered turtle in her swimming pool; a history of Ukai, a 1300-year-old Japanese method of fishing using cormorant birds on leashes; and documentation of the artist's own backyard attempt at making pear brandy, or eau de vie de poire.

Yours, Patsy Cline celebrates the lasting appeal of the great country and western singer, Patsy Cline, 50 years after her tragic death at age 30. Wilcox orchestrates a composite musical homage using dozens of self posted YouTube renditions of three of the singer's most famous tunes: Walkin' After Midnight, Crazy, and Sweet Dreams.

Wilcox was born in 1965 in Seattle and currently lives in New York. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York (BFA 1989) and Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California (MFA 1995). One-person exhibitions include the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Museum Ludwig, Cologne; Kunstverein Munich; UC Berkeley Art Museum; Kunsthaus Glarus, Switzerland; and the Institute of Contemporary Art, London. His films have been screened at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Tate Modern, London.

Visit Metro Pictures in NewYork at : http://www.metropicturesgallery.com/

Exhibiion of T. J. Wilcox on view through 12 June.