Archive Kabinett

The Object Lag and book launch Figures of Speech
August 24th 2010

On invitation by Falke Pisano and Archive kabinett, Emily Williams presents The Object Lag, a yearlong project she is currently curating at Nieuwe Vide art space in Haarlem, as guest curator for 2010. The event will double as the Berlin book launch of Pisano’s publication Figures of Speech.

The Object Lag is an open evolving structure that seeks to place the emphasis on the interrelated contexts that orbit the object. Seeing the object and its experience, as something that is constantly in movement and so open to an infinite amount
of possibilities and readings. The Object Lag
transforms the common curatorial practice of organizing and arranging into the very material itself, with its dynamic evolution resting on the contributions made by numerous artists and designers, activating, translating and feeding back into its structure.

The five interrelated parts of The Object Lag are entitled Form & Content, Translation, The Archaeology of Autonomy, Cross-Reference, and The Intangible, each taking on a different stance toward the object. Part One, posed the self-referential question of how it should carry itself, to unfold naturally in relation and reaction to its content? Part Two, brought together artists and designers reflecting on the notion of translation and in Part Three The Object Lag juxtaposed its dynamic structure with a working period in the Teylers Museum in Haarlem, with performances and temporary interventions made by artists and designers intersecting the static nature of its 224 year old museum model, challenging the notion of autonomy.

Preceding Part Four-Cross-Reference, where a selection of writings and thesis’ by artists and designers form the next departure point, Williams reflects on The Object Lag with a presentation in Archive kabinett. Often referring to her role within the project as a choreographer of events, her position as a curator is not fixed but merges with and informs her artistic practice. For this presentation she brings to the foreground, the very personal artistic constellation of thoughts and ideas that formed the starting point for this multi faceted curatorial project.

The event on the 24th of August will simultaneously serve as the Berlin booklaunch of Falke Pisano's publication Figures of Speech. Published by JRPRingier/Christopher Keller Editions Figures of Speech is largely based on a performative practice of writing and involves a circulation and exchange of language, ideas, and form. The publication comprises Pisano's recent work with a focus on the act of speech in relation to different forms of agency in artistic production. Although less outspoken than in Emily Williams' curatorial and artistic practice, the notion of the object functions as a constant reference point; one that is both strategically affirmed and negated.

Download pamphlet-6.pdf