Tony Oursler

Tony Oursler

3 May - 21 June 2003

Oursler's new sculptures are biomorphic forms in varying configurations and sizes, aglow with projected images of bulbous blinking rolling eyes and outsized mouths grimacing and pursing, while mumbling mawkish sentiments of self-pity and disenchantment or seductive attempts to woo the viewer. These bizarre alien beings maintain enough human characteristics to elicit both empathy and freakish fascination. The bright, vivid projections that are viewed in ordinary light, tap a disorienting complex of psychological and perceptual quirks.

Tony Oursler had recent solo exhibitions at the Institut Valenci‡ d'Art Modern, Valencia, Spain; Museo d'Arte Contemporanea, Rome; and Magasin 3, Stockholm. The latter included an outdoor installation and projection The Influence Machine Stockholm. The Influence Machine was first exhibited in Madison Square Park in New York, and Soho Square in London. Introjection, the artist's mid-career survey, was on view from 1999 to 2001 at Williams College Museum of Art, Massachusetts; Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston; Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art; and the Des Moines Art Center. In 2000, Oursler's installation The Darkest Color Infinitely Amplified was presented at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Tony Oursler's work is represented in numerous museum collections including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Tate Gallery in London.