Assume vivid astro focus - ENEL CONTEMPORANEA 2008Largo Argentina, Rome
3rd July – 3rd September 2008
Curated by Francesco Bonami
For Enel Contemporanea 2008, Largo Argentina plays host to an energetic, psychedelic project by the Brazilian group assume vivid astro focus. The marriage between ancient art and pop art from contemporary society is vigorously expressed in this archeological site of considerable historical and artistic importance. avaf’s lively and at times provocative installations, always placed in original urban contexts, raise questions about the prejudices, convictions and problems of distinct cultural traditions and cities, in order to draw the public closer to situations that are unfamiliar or simply hard to explore. For Largo Argentina, avaf create a dynamic, playful and convoluted route to bring the public towards the ruins, letting them experience close-up an artistic site that is generally only visible from above. The trenches, walkways and shortcuts welcome spectators and invite them to take a journey through places soaked in history via contemporary visions. While the sparkling coloured lights highlight the chromatic contours of the ancient temples, temporarily lending the site a novel splendour and a fresh brilliance, the videos projected onto the ruins narrate idyllic and visionary new tales.
Francesco Bonami
The Brazilian group assume vivid astro focus (avaf) have exhibited around the world with solo and collective shows in some of the most prestigious international institutions, including MOMA in New York (2007-2008), the Athens Biennial (2007); Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago, MOT in Tokyo (2007–2008), Art Basel Miami Beach (2007) and Frieze Art Fair in London (2004). They created a public art project in Central Park, New York, sponsored by The Public Art Fund, in cooperation with the Whitney Biennale (2004) and have had solo exhibitions at: Kunsthalle, Vienna; John Connelly Presents, New York; Deitch Projects, New York; Galeria Triângulo, Sãu Paolo (Brazil); Hiromi Yoshii Gallery, Tokyo and Galleria Massimo de Carlo, Milan. On-going and forthcoming solo shows include: Deitch Projects, New York, May 2008, and Peres Projects, Berlin, September 2008. Assume vivid astro focus will also take part in the 28th Biennial of Sãu Paolo (Brazil). Avaf live and work between Paris and New York.
