Just like Andy’s playthings in Toy Story, it seems as though the mannequins in this warehouse come alive when the humans have all gone home. They assume roles within their society, interact, form relationships, and adopt individual personalities through their choice of clothes and actions.
Isa Genzken. Installation view from the 2015 solo exhibition Isa Genzken at David Zwirner, New York. Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
Except, of course, that this isn’t a department store warehouse, and the mannequins don’t dress themselves. This is David Zwirner Gallery in New York, and the carefully staged scenes all stem from the imagination of their creator, Isa Genzken.
This collection of three dimensional and two dimensional recent works sees the German artist move in a much more figurative direction than previous projects which have been much more interested in abstract geometry. The mannequins are known by their German name Schauspieler (actors), and Genzken’s arrangements are full of theatrical moments that raise questions about our own experiences and realities. Alongside these figures are a pair of architectural sculptures — the first two works in a new series of mini skyscrapers — which measure over three metres tall, and stand within the exhibition arena as an allusion to the Twin Towers.
Genzken’s work is on show at the West 19th Street venue until 31 October.
Isa Genzken
Installation view from the 2015 solo exhibition Isa Genzken at David Zwirner, New York
Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
Isa Genzken
Schauspieler II, 3, 2014
Boy mannequin on metal stand, rolled up black pants, grey woolen jumper, imitation snakeskin shoes, red, white and blue sash, green tape, and bronze mirror foil
70 7/8 x 19 11/16 x 15 3/4 inches (180 x 50 x 40 cm)
Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
Isa Genzken
Schauspieler II, 13, 2014
Girl mannequin on metal stand, blue denim jacket with pink white and black floral print shirt, adhesive tape, blue glasses, spray paint, green cap, b/w print on paper, taxidermy owl, rat, hare and weasel at feet
57 1/16 x 14 15/16 x 16 9/16 inches (145 x 38 x 42 cm)
Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
Isa Genzken
Installation view from the 2015 solo exhibition Isa Genzken at David Zwirner, New York
Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
Isa Genzken
Installation views from the 2015 solo exhibition Isa Genzken at David Zwirner, New York
Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
Isa Genzken
Schauspieler II, 10, 2014
Black girl mannequin on glass stand, red knitted jumper, blue jeans, black leather baseball cap, blue glasses, silver sprayed packing foam, and black gaffer tape
56 11/16 x 18 1/2 x 11 13/16 inches (144 x 47 x 30 cm)
Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
Isa Genzken
Schauspieler II, 1, 2014
Woman mannequin on metal stand, red leather pants and jacket, brown wig, flower wreath on head, spray paint, and water pipe on floor
68 7/8 x 21 5/8 x 17 11/16 inches (175 x 55 x 45 cm)
Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne
