From the Flat Files

From the Flat Files is an international exhibition of artist's ephemera curated by Brian Butler and Amada Cruz.

The exhibition is part of Wintec's annual conference SPARK, and is curated by two of our invited speakers. Brian Butler is Director of 1301PE and Brain Multiples in Los Angeles, a leading contemporary space there. Butler has worked with many of the artists in the show, and has been one of the leading gallerists in L. A. for several years. Much of the ephemera in the show comes from his own collection. Many of the posters also come from Brain Multiples, which produces artist multiples in a whole range of forms, from posters, to lamps, to artist's books.

Amada Cruz is Director of the Centre for Curatorial Studies Museum, Bard College, New York. Cruz has curated shows by leading international artists, included Felix Gonzalez-Torres, David Shrigley, Jorge Pardo and Cindy Sherman. She continues to work with leading contemporary artists. Recently the exhibitions programme at Bard College has included exhibitions by Sarah Sze, Isaac Julien, Slater Bradley and Dave Muller. She also contributes to the teaching of the Curatorial Studies Program at Bard, which is seen as one of the leading degree programmes in its field.

From the Flat Files includes posters, bumper stickers, books, LPs, CDs and T-shirts from some of the most important contemporary artists today. The exhibition presents ephemera from:

Albert Oehlen, Albrect Fuchs, ALVA, Andrea Bowers, Andrea Cross, Angela Bulloch, Ann Veronica Janssens, Annelies Strba, Anselm Kiefer, Aida Ruilova, Christian Flamm, Christian Marclay, Dave Muller, David Armstrong Six, Diana Thater, Dodgem, Dos Anos, Doug Aitken, Elizabeth Peyton, Erwin Wurm, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Fiona Banner, Flaming June, Franz Ackermann, Franz West, Gabriel Orozco, General Idea, Hans Weigand, Into the Lapse, Jack Goldstein, Jamey Bair, Jason Rhoades and Paul McCarthy, Jean-Pascal Flavien, Jenny Holzer, Jeremy Deller, Johannes Wohnseifer, Jokob Holding, Jorge Pardo, Joseph Grigely, Judy Ledgerwood, Kelly Nipper, Lirsten Pieroth, Lawrence Weiner, Lilianna Moro, Lily van der Stokker, Lincoln Tobier, Little Cockroach 16, Lo w Hotel, Manfred Pernice, Maria Brunner, Martin Kippenberger, Matthew Higgs, Meg Cranston, Mengenburo, Merlin Carpenter, Michael Asher, Mike Kelley, Moyra Davey, Olaf Nicolai, Pae White, Philippe Parreno, Pierre Hughe, Rachel Khedoori, Raoul de Keyser, Raymond Pettibon, Remy Hysbergue, Requiem for the Empty Quarter, Richard Hamilton, Richard Philips, Richard Prince, Rikrit Tiravanija, Roma Roma Roma, Roni Horn, Slater Bradley, Sound CD 1, Superflat, Superflex, T. Kelly Mason, Thaddeus Strode, Watery Domestic, Yoshimoto Nara.

The exhibition is a selective history of contemporary art over the last ten years or so, and is a testament to the continued involvement and energy of its curators, who have not only put their own collections on display, but have also arranged for several artists to loan works for the show. Significant lenders include Jeremy Deller and Christian Marclay. Ramp and SPARK are grateful to all the lenders, and of course Brian and Amada as curators, for presenting such a significant and fascinating exhibition.

1301PE
Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College