If you plan to be in New York on Feb 27th, you can’t miss a live reading of Sean Landers’ novel [sic] by 22 art-world luminaries, including our Director Paul Ha. The original hand-written version of this novel is currently on display at the Contemporary as part of the exhibition Sean Landers: 1991-94 Improbable History, on view through April 11.

“Never in my life did I think that reading could be such an utter waste of time. I normally can find something redeeming in anything I’ve read. After reading [sic] I cleaned my apartment just so I could feel like I’d done something with my day.”
- Sean Landers

This one-time-only performance at the Friedrich Petzel Gallery is presented by Art Production Fund and White Columns, and hosted by Saatchi & Saatchi – February 27, 2010, 4:00pm to midnight. Read more.

My first week of work as an intern with the Contemporary was a real eye opener to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make an opening appear effortless. As a museum visitor, I took many things for granted. Things like security, beverages, installation, art labels and gallery guides just magically happen, right? Well, not really. I never thought about how someone has to fold and hole-punch all those gallery guides. How someone has to design those labels and signs. How someone has to work with representatives from other companies to arrange for security and beverage service. Someone even has to move and build the walls! Even more happens behind the scenes like dinners and numerous meetings with the artists. It’s amazing that all this (and MUCH more) is accomplished with a staff of 13 (and a few eager interns), and I’m thrilled to be here for it all.

So, next time you visit the Contemporary, take a second to look around and notice all the little things that add up to one great experience. Oh, and think twice before you throw away that gallery guide!

Heather Tribbett is an intern in the Development Department

The Contemporary’s new shows open tomorrow night (Friday, January 22, 7-9pm) and things are busy around here! The artists have been in town all week, working closely with our installation crew to hang the show. We got a staff preview today and it is looking really great. The rest of the museum staff and interns are hard at work preparing for tomorrow’s Opening Night Reception…making welcome signs, arranging for photography and valet, printing and folding the gallery guides, and all of the other little things it takes to get the Contemporary ready to welcome the thousand people who will visit us tomorrow night.

I hope you will join us at the Opening and bring a friend. These exhibitions feature photographs, drawings, watercolors, videos, paintings, music, and even some literature, blurring the boundaries between artist, author, and musician. Both artists use all materials at their disposal to express themselves and create their artworks. Even though the exhibitions are separate solo shows featuring artists who have distinct and unique processes, we’ve observed some parallel concepts running through both. I encourage you to visit the museum to explore these exhibitions for yourself and respond to this blog post. What parallels do you see?

And remember, The Front Room is back! Xavier Cha and Torbjørn Rødland present their work in this fluid space dedicated to creative experimentation. Cha’s work is performance based so be sure to come on Opening Night to experience her performances first hand.

Click here to read an article that was featured in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Mariana Castillo Deball talks about her ideas behind the Klein bottle piñata sculpture created for the exhibition For the blind man in the dark room looking for the black cat that isn’t there. The public was invited to celebrate the end of the exhibition by breaking open the piñata sculpture.

What’s all the excitement? On Sunday, January 3, the CAM hosted the Piñata Closing Party for the end of the exhibition, For the blind man… For my first event with the CAM, I was intrigued to discover the large community involvement and the amazing amount of excitement that unfolded. People of all ages came out to take a swing and enjoy complimentary appetizers. After an hour of blindfolded people at bat, the piñata busted and kids, teens, and parents rushed to gather the hidden goodies. With tons of energy and laughter filling the museum, this was truly a great way to begin my internship.

After the cleanup and all the goodbyes, I gathered with Cole and a few others to start the removal of the exhibition. The prep work, organization, and the art removal itself, all has to be done with such intricate details. We started section by section, removing pieces and collecting evidence for the condition reports. Handling the art in such an intimate, delicate fashion gave me the chance to interpret each piece on an individual basis. Though I didn’t have a chance to stay to help finish up that evening, the next experience will be just as interesting and exciting.

Tabitha Schnurbusch is an intern in the Exhibitions Department

Watch the video put together by Amy from the Pulitzer on the Contemporary’s new media and posted on saintlouisartmap.org. The video is part of a series “catching up with…” St. Louis arts organizations.

The Museum is closed for installation until January 22 which is Opening Night of Sean Landers: 1991-1994, Improbable History and Stephen Prina: Modern Movie Popin the Main Galleries and Xavier Cha in The Front Room. You can stay connected to the Contemporary by visiting this blog, social networking sites, and the Museum’s website. Click here for all the ways to stay connected while we are closed.

The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis would like to wish you and yours a very safe and happy New Year!

Read the blog posted on saintlouisartmap.org. Find out about the Piñata Closing Party, the event to mark the end of the exhibition For the blind man in the dark room looking for the black cat that isn’t there.

Mariana Castillo Deball / Tessa Rehkop

Mariana Castillo Deball was born in 1975 in Mexico City, and she currently lives and works in Amsterdam and Berlin. Her Klein Bottle Piñata (2009) is being presented as part of the current exhibition For the blind man in the dark room looking for the black cat that isn’t there. The gigantic, blue, Klein bottle-shaped piñata hangs over the Contemporary’s performance space allowing viewers to examine the curious object. It is made out of paper máché and is larger than life. A Klein bottle is a non-orientable surface, meaning the inside and outside cannot be distinguished. This is similar to a Mobious strip, except that a Klein bottle has no boundary. What’s inside the Piñata is a mystery and will be revealed the last day of the show at the Piñata Closing Party held at the Contemporary on Sunday, January 3 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Guests will be allowed to take swings at the piñata to break it open!