translated and summarized by: Liz Wollner-Grandville,
171212: TBA21 Augarten: Sharon Lockhart – Noa Eshkol
TBA21 Augarten
Sharon Lockhart – Noa Eshkol
23.11.2012 – 24. 02.2013
Noted and patched
By Nina Schedlmayer
They twist and turn and their torsos spiral upwards; through a synchronized counter movement, the lower arms gingerly rise and fall. Sharon Lockhart’s oeuvre presented in the TBA21 demonstrates how fascinating dance can be. She filmed members of Noa Eshkol’s Chamber Dance Group, named after the Israeli choreographer.
Noa Eshkol (1924-2007) is well known for the Eshkol-Wachman Movement Notation, which she and Avraham Wachman developed and that was inspired by the complex movements of a dancing body. Lockhart presents the dancers, performing to the beats of a metronome amidst tapestries created by the multitalented Eshkol, in a five-part film installation stretching across the generously sized rooms of the Augarten studio. The dances seem rhythmically aligned segueing from one to another.
Delicate wire and metal fabric models (reminiscent of constructivist sculptures such as those by Naum Gabo) designed by Eshkol and Wachman help visualize the notation system that forms the basis of the choreographies. They, too, can be found in Lockhart’s exhibition – photographed prosaically, stringently, and retained – in the style of scientific images. The artist positioned her tapestries on a base – cheerful, careless, irregular patchwork that breaks up the stringency of the choreography.
In the international world of art, Noa Eshkol had almost fallen into oblivion, yet her work proves to be fruitful and instructive. Lockhart can claim the credit for bringing Eshkol’s work out of the woodwork. However, her own artistic handwriting recedes into the background behind all her protagonist's fascinating objects; she behaves in a profusely reserved manner. Clearly, this coolness is also an aesthetic decision; even if its now mainstream. And that’s why this well-worth seeing exhibition is more Eshkol than Lockhart.
TBA21 Augarten
1020 Vienna, Scherzergasse 1A
Tel: +43 1 513 98 56 – 24
email: exhibitions@TBA21.org
http://www.TBA21.org
Opening hours: Daily 11.00 -19.00 hours, Fri 11.00 – 22.00 hours
171212
TBA21 Augarten
1020 Wien, Scherzergasse 1A
Tel: +43 1 513 98 56 – 24
Email: exhibitions@TBA21.org
http://www.TBA21.org
Öffnungszeiten: Di-So 12 - 19 h
TBA21 Augarten
1020 Wien, Scherzergasse 1A
Tel: +43 1 513 98 56 – 24
Email: exhibitions@TBA21.org
http://www.TBA21.org
Öffnungszeiten: Di-So 12 - 19 h