Maxwell Graham

Park McArthur

Edition One and Two Fantasies

July 15 - August 21, 2020

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Edition One and Two Fantasies

During the months of July and August Essex Street will be open.

Starting Wednesday July 15 and continuing through Friday August 21, Park McArthur will present artworks in the gallery’s location at 55 Hester Street in New York, on the gallery’s website at exhibition146.essexstreet.biz and elsewhere. The gallery will be open to visitors from Tuesday to Friday from 12-6 PM and the entrance door to the gallery’s storefront will be propped open. Visitor guidelines can be found at essexstreet.biz. The artwork will be on view at all times.

A sculpture I made from my ventilator’s disposable filters hangs in the gallery foyer. Ventilators use forced air to aid the rhythmics of breath. (For now I use my ventilator when I sleep.) I change these filters every three to six weeks as they become grey from debris. Last fall I began saving some of the materials of my mechanically-dependent breath in order to preserve possible connections between dreaming and debility. Each filter fits into the end of the next filter.

Edition 1 of 10 and 2 of 10 of another artwork are also present. Edition 1 hangs in the elevator room at street level and Edition 2 is spread across the main space. All editions of this artwork begin with a two page printout and expand to include more copies as needed. The elevator room displays a single set whereas the main space exhibits fourteen. As laid out in my own room, for example, one copy is taped next to a window, one by the bathroom door, and four along a wall. On the gallery website the pages are installed here: exhibition146.essexstreet.biz/formfoundfiguringitout_show.pdf.

I made the two pages to resemble the text and markings on a device called an incentive spirometer. In units of milliliters incentive spirometers attempt to measure the volume of a breath of air. They are designed for users to compare their breaths numerically and to encourage diaphragmatic movement through slow deep breathing. The devices are made up of a plastic tube and mouthpiece, an indicator, two airway chambers, a bobbin, one lined chart marking volume and another one marking the accuracy of the reading. I use them for inspiration (exhalation follows).

As a print, the numbers, texts and logos of the incentive spirometer are rendered as they would appear from inside the device.

The exhibition exists as an audio described and captioned video here: exhibition146.essexstreet.biz#video
The exhibition exists as images with alt texts here: exhibition146.essexstreet.biz#images

This exhibition is McArthur’s third at the gallery and continues the artist’s engagement with artworks’ reliance on multiple sites of reception. Previous presentations at Essex Street include During the month of August ESSEX STREET will be closed, 2013 and Ramps, 2014. McArthur has also had solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art New York, 2018-19; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 2017; Chisenhale Gallery, London, 2016. McArthur has also participated in group exhibitions including the Carnegie International, Pittsburgh, 2018; Whitney Biennial, New York, 2017; Bienal de São Paulo, Brazil, 2016; Greater New York, PS1, Queens, 2015 among others.

On August 15, 2020 McArthur will open an exhibition at Kunsthalle Bern in Bern, Switzerland and at kunsthalle-bern.ch/.

To schedule a skype, zoom, or facetime exhibition tour please email info@essexstreet.biz or call 917-675-6681.

During the months of July and August Essex Street will be open.

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Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition of 10

[An artwork. The artwork is two pages of paper vertically oriented and side by side. The sheets are white, with graphically printed sparse numbers, lines, logos and text all in blue. All of the content is printed in reverse as if it were viewed in a mirror. On the page on the left the print spells out in a vertical column “2500ml” “2250” “2000” “1750” “1500ml” “1250” “1000” “750” “500ml” “250” from top to bottom with a horizontal blue line separating each number. Underneath this column are the words “Inspired Volume”. Next to the column are the words “VOLDYNE ® 2500” and “HUDSON RCI” with a simple logo. To the right of these words are three stacked boxes each containing the words “GOOD” “BETTER” “BEST” from top to bottom. On the page on the right the print spells out in a vertical column “2500ml” “2250” “2000” “1750” “1500ml” “1250” “1000” “750” “500ml” “250” from top to bottom with a horizontal blue line separating each number. Underneath this column are the words “Inspired Volume”, without additional text or logos.]

Park McArthur
Edition One and Two Fantasies, 2020, Maxwell Graham/Essex Street, New York
Camera: Josephine Shokrian
Description: Alejandra Ospina

[The entire storefront façade of Essex Street Gallery, built of glass and metal trim surrounded by large white bricks, with one of two front doors propped wide open, on a sunny day. On both sides of the open door are the storefront’s large windows showing the interior architecture and some artworks on the walls.]

[A section of the gallery’s storefront façade focused on the two front doors, with one propped wide open, showing a view inside the space.]

[The left window of the gallery’s façade, including the window frame, and a view into the space showing parts of the gate and call buttons of a wheelchair lift.]

[A view through the left window into the gallery, showing part of a framed artwork on the left and the full gate and call buttons of a wheelchair lift in the center and light switches and an alarm code on the right.]

[An angled view through the left window into the gallery, showing a framed artwork on the left and the gate and call buttons of a wheelchair lift to the right.]

[The right window of the gallery’s façade, including the window frame, and a view into the space, showing some of the gallery’s overhead lighting fixtures on the left, and on the right on a curved wall is a hanging sculpture.]

[A view through the right window into the gallery, showing a balcony and the top of a staircase headed down to a lower level, in the distance framed artworks in the lower level, and in the foreground on the right on a curved wall is a hanging sculpture.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 1 of 10
[A squared open doorway inside the gallery. In the space beyond the doorway a framed artwork hangs on a white wall.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 1 of 10
[On the left light is coming through a window, in the center a white wall with a framed artwork.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 1 of 10
[A framed artwork. The frame is painted white wood. The matte board is also white. The artwork is two pages of paper vertically oriented and side by side. The sheets are white, with graphically printed sparse numbers, lines, logos and text all in blue. All of the content is printed in reverse as if it were viewed in a mirror. On the page on the left the print spells out in a vertical column “2500ml” “2250” “2000” “1750” “1500ml” “1250” “1000” “750” “500ml” “250” from top to bottom with a horizontal blue line separating each number. Underneath this column are the words “Inspired Volume”. Next to the column are the words “VOLDYNE ® 2500” and “HUDSON RCI” with a simple logo. To the right of these words are three stacked boxes each containing the words “GOOD” “BETTER” “BEST” from top to bottom. On the page on the right the print spells out in a vertical column “2500ml” “2250” “2000” “1750” “1500ml” “1250” “1000” “750” “500ml” “250” from top to bottom with a horizontal blue line separating each number. Underneath this column are the words “Inspired Volume”, without additional text or logos.]

Installation view
Park McArthur
Fantasies, 2020
Twelve used ventilator filters
27 ⅝ × 2 ½ × 2 ½ inches (70.17 × 6.35 × 6.35 cm)
[A slightly curved white wall with a hanging sculpture.]

Park McArthur
Fantasies, 2020
Twelve used ventilator filters
27 ⅝ × 2 ½ × 2 ½ inches (70.17 × 6.35 × 6.35 cm)
[A hanging sculpture. The sculpture is made out of twelve pieces of transparent plastic interlocking into one another in a vertical column. Each piece is a cylindrical tube leading to a flattened sphere leading to a cylindrical tube. In the center of each flattened sphere is a filter.]

Park McArthur
Fantasies, 2020
Twelve used ventilator filters
27 ⅝ × 2 ½ × 2 ½ inches (70.17 × 6.35 × 6.35 cm)
Detail
[Detail of a hanging sculpture showing how each piece interlocks with the next, and showing the underside of the filter is slightly gray and dusty, while the top side is clean and white.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[The main space of the gallery with large bright white walls and cool fluorescent lighting. On the walls hang twelve framed artworks unevenly spaced around the walls.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[The main space of the gallery with large bright white walls and cool fluorescent lighting. On the furthest wall’s left side is a large white staircase leading up to the entrance level with windows underneath an EXIT sign, on it’s right side is a doorway to an elevator lift. On the walls hang ten framed artworks unevenly spaced around the walls.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[On the left is a large white staircase leading up to the entrance level with windows underneath an EXIT sign and a faint view of a hanging sculpture. In the center is a large white wall with a framed artwork. On the right is a doorway to an elevator lift.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A framed artwork. The frame is painted white wood. The matte board is also white. The artwork is two pages of paper vertically oriented and side by side. The sheets are white, with graphically printed sparse numbers, lines, logos and text all in blue. All of the content is printed in reverse as if it were viewed in a mirror. On the page on the left the print spells out in a vertical column “2500ml” “2250” “2000” “1750” “1500ml” “1250” “1000” “750” “500ml” “250” from top to bottom with a horizontal blue line separating each number. Underneath this column are the words “Inspired Volume”. Next to the column are the words “VOLDYNE ® 2500” and “HUDSON RCI” with a simple logo. To the right of these words are three stacked boxes each containing the words “GOOD” “BETTER” “BEST” from top to bottom. On the page on the right the print spells out in a vertical column “2500ml” “2250” “2000” “1750” “1500ml” “1250” “1000” “750” “500ml” “250” from top to bottom with a horizontal blue line separating each number. Underneath this column are the words “Inspired Volume”, without additional text or logos.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A large white wall with two framed artworks.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A large white wall with four framed artworks unevenly spaced. One of the frames extends outside the picture.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A large white wall with three framed artworks.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A large white wall with three framed artworks unevenly spaced.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A large white wall with two framed artworks.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A large white wall, interrupted by a break in its center, with four framed artworks unevenly spaced. One of the frames extends outside the picture.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A large white wall with three framed artworks.]

Park McArthur
Form found figuring it out, show, 2020
Two pages
Installed according to options
Edition 2 of 10
[A framed artwork. The frame is painted white wood. The matte board is also white. The artwork is two pages of paper vertically oriented and side by side. The sheets are white, with graphically printed sparse numbers, lines, logos and text all in blue. All of the content is printed in reverse as if it were viewed in a mirror. On the page on the left the print spells out in a vertical column “2500ml” “2250” “2000” “1750” “1500ml” “1250” “1000” “750” “500ml” “250” from top to bottom with a horizontal blue line separating each number. Underneath this column are the words “Inspired Volume”. Next to the column are the words “VOLDYNE ® 2500” and “HUDSON RCI” with a simple logo. To the right of these words are three stacked boxes each containing the words “GOOD” “BETTER” “BEST” from top to bottom. On the page on the right the print spells out in a vertical column “2500ml” “2250” “2000” “1750” “1500ml” “1250” “1000” “750” “500ml” “250” from top to bottom with a horizontal blue line separating each number. Underneath this column are the words “Inspired Volume”, without additional text or logos.]