The Kunstverein Bielefeld is delighted to present Decomposition Evaluation, the first institutional solo exhibition of the work of SoiL Thornton to be held in Europe. Thornton’s practice engages with the underlying conditions for the exhibition, presentation and representation of artistic production. Who represents what? Which roles are assigned to any particular artist? What are the underlying processes of economic exploitation? How are identity, individuality, and biography used to shape artists into brands? And what is it that constitutes value?
SoiL Thornton’s artistic work questions precisely these processes, the ways by which a society constitutes agreed norms and sets up established power relations. Their approach is often about measuring the tension between an idea and its material implementation. Thornton has developed this exhibition specifically for the Kunstverein Bielefeld, including new installative works. One concept moving through the exhibition is based on an investigation of the visual effects of chroma keying, examples of which can be seen in the invitation card and in the site-specific wall work Beginnings of dematerialized space / containment through exercising imagination then exercising active practice? (ready to go) (2022) shown at the Kunstverein Bielefeld. In film production, key colors like chroma green are used to create backgrounds on which to overlay digital content. Thornton’s work has an abiding interest in questions of how things appear and how meaning comes to be. Their works are an appeal to fiction and its inherent possibilities for self-transcendence.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication, supported by the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation as part of their Catalogues for Young Artists award.
SoiL Thornton was born 1990 and lives and works in New York. They have recently had solo exhibitions at Galerie Neu, Berlin (2022), Essex Street, New York, and Morán Morán, Los Angeles (both 2021). Their work has been included in group exhibitions at Kunsthalle Friart Fribourg, Switzerland (2022), and the SculptureCenter, New York (2021). In 2017, their work was featured at the Whitney Biennial in New York.
KUNSTVEREIN BIELEFELD
Welle 61
33602 Bielefeld
Thu–Sun, 12:00 – 18:00
Mo-Wed, by appointment
T +49 (0) 521.17 88 06
F +49 (0) 521.17 88 10
kontakt@kunstverein-bielefeld.de
Events:
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19.08.2022, 19:00
Opening
Decomposition Evaluation by SoiL Thornton
Speakers: Uli Horaczek (Board), Jasmina Merz (Kunststiftung NRW), Nadine Droste (Director) -
20.08.2022, 12:00
Artists' Talk
SoiL Thornton in conversation with Nadine Droste
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21.08.2022, 17:00
Curator's Tour
with Nadine Droste
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27.08.2022, 20:00
Jazz im Waldhof
Mit der Liun & The Science Fiction Band
In Kooperation mit dem Kulturamt Bielefeld und Bunker Ulmenwall -
28.08.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Leonore Spemann
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03.09.2022, 10:00
Children's Activity
with Klaus Braun
Contribution (donations welcome) min. 15 € / child -
04.09.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition
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11.09.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Valerie Kurbakov
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18.09.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Carsten Gude
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25.09.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Katharina Götz
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02.10.2022, 10:00
MEMBERS’ DAY TRIP
to the Museum of Contemporary Art Siegen
Guided tour through the exhibition Meine Juden and the collection of the MGK with the director Thomas Thiel. Please register at: mitglieder@kunstverein-bielefeld.de -
02.10.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Valerie Kurbakov
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09.10.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Nicola V. Manitta
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16.10.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Nicola V. Manitta
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22.10.2022, 10:00
Children's Activity
with Klaus Braun
Contribution (donations welcome) min. 15 € / child -
23.10.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Carsten Gude
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30.10.2022, 17:00
GUIDED TOUR
through the exhibition with Oriane Durand (Interim Director)