Mark Titchner
20th Century Man
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Vilma Gold is pleased
to present, 20th Century Man, Mark Titchner's fourth
solo show with the gallery. The exhibition comprises new sculptures
and text-based works.
20th Century Man can
be seen as Mark Titchner's attempt to explore and probe the
current spiritual condition of man. Each of the works in the
exhibition touches on a myriad of scientific, religious and
philosophical references to power that have held particular
influence over the past hundred years. A diminished image of
the A-bomb, Nietzsche's furrowed brow, a-maze-ing Jesus, orgone
accumulators, omnipotent gods, Tibetan Buddhist prayer... all
are used to discuss a sense of spiritual bankruptcy and a perceived
usurpation of religious faith by faith in power, science, violence
and state.
Understand the Weapon Understand the Wound is a freestanding,
three-panel, screen-like structure. Its surface has been meticulously
covered by 3,600, small, hand painted wooden blocks, which depict
a greyscale pixilated image of the Nagasaki A-bomb. In the same
pixilated style the image is capped top and bottom by the statement
Understand the Weapon Understand the Wound. Whilst this iconic
image is unmistakeably grounded in the 20 th Century the method
of its production seems pre-mechanical and antiquated. The technique
of pixilation and the fetishistic nature of its execution seem
to literally distance the image's legibility. Understand the
Weapon... appears as an epitaph to the ultimate symbol of 20th
Century scientific and secular might.
20th Century Man includes two further sculptures, which
share the exhibitions title. Both are plinth-like in structure
and relative in height to the human body. Resting on top of
each is a flexible rubber cast based on an image of Fredric
Nietzsche's furrowed brow. Each of the heads contains five identical
profiles brought together to form a single overall head similar
to the famous Futurist bust of Mussolini. The first plinth has
a black and white recurring motif carved into its five visible
surfaces. The motif is a maze-like pattern spelling out the
reverse name of Jesus. The plinth base of the second sculpture
is a working replica of a Wilhelm Reich orgone accumulator.
These tall, thin, anthropomorphic sculptures appear as a cross
between an empty western totem and eastern representation of
an, all-seeing, omnipotent god.
Six, canvas, flag-like banners cover the gallery walls. Digitally
printed onto each is a design and slogan reminiscent of trade
union banners and the designs of William Morris. Titchner has
carefully scoured the cooperate manifestos of multinational
companies to retrieve utopian slogans that hint at fulfilment
and a better reality for all. We want to admit our mistakes,
We want to act with compassion, We want to fulfil dreams...
We want, We want... Titchner's banners appear as an attempt
to plot a migration from the economic into the political and
the political into the religious. This movement can be seen
as an echo from the mid-20th Century where the aestheticisation
of politics, initiated by the powers at be, were counteracted
by the politicisation of aesthetics.
Mark Titchner lives and works in London. His work has been widely
exhibited and international venues including Tate Liverpool,
Tate Britain, The Groninger Museum, Museum Morsbroich, Lehnbachhaus
Munich, State Russian Museum and Museo Tamayo. Forthcoming exhibitions
include a two-person exhibition, with Carlos Amorales, at De
Appel, Amsterdam and solo presentations at Peres Projects, Los
Angeles, Vacio 9, Madrid and The Breeder, Athens. An artist's
book written and illustrated by Mark Titchner, entitled Why
and Why Not, was recently published by Bookworks, London.
For further information or images please contact Sarah McCrory:
+44(0) 20 8981 3344 or: sarah@vilmagold.com |
Mark Titchner
Symbolic Wish Machine, 2004
metal stand, wheels, electrical transmitter, copper, wood,
paint
156 x 48 x 87 cm
Mark Titchner
20th Century Man (WR), 2004
wood, paint, rubber, wax, metal, varnish
125 x 47 x 41 cm
Installation view
20th Century Man
Mark Titchner
Mark Titchner
We Want Continuous Improvement, 2004
inkjet print on canvas, metal, plaster, resin, trimming
160 x 150 x 10 cm
Mark Titchner
We Want to Fulfil Dreams, 2004
inkjet print on canvas, metal, plaster, resin, trimming
160 x 150 x 10 cm
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