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Dragan Ilic
Drawing / Devices
October 3 - November 8, 2003
Reception: Friday, October 3, 6 - 9pm
Artist's Talk: Saturday,
Oct. 25, 4pm, Open to the Public
Online
Reviews
Kentler International Drawing Space
is pleased to present Dragan Ilic: Drawing / Devices. This exhibition
presents unique approaches to drawing by this innovative artist in his
first solo show in New York since 1985.
A large scale, multiple line, abstract drawing, resembling a 'futuristic'
musical score or a giant computer chip wiring system, is made by using
many varied drawing devices invented by Ilic. "My basic interest
and ongoing exploration as an artist is the interaction between human
creative imagination and machine-like 'robotic activity'." The
devices are sets of graphite or color pencils, pastels or brushes, clamped
together in a straight line, parallel and equally spaced, in a series
of two to five hundred pieces. Placing a large sheet of paper on the
ground, Ilic puts his entire body into the motion of drawing with the
devices.
The use of devices began in 1975 when he suddenly began to make multiple-line
drawings with a fistful of pencils. Based on the artist's interest in
physics and mathematics, he is exploring in this series, a visual synthesis
in which the power of technology, mathematical equations and the intuitive
human imagination meet.
Interactivity is another important element of Ilic's work. On view is
Ilic's large 4 x 14' sculptural drawing device made of rubber from ceiling
to floor, and incised throughout with thousands of red graphite pencils.
The viewer is invited to manipulate the undulating pencil device and
contribute to a drawing on the surrounding walls, thereby directly experiencing
the artwork along with the art-making process.
Dragan Ilic was born in Bagaljica, Yugoslavia, became an American citizen
in the year 2000, and now lives and works in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He
is well known internationally for his provocative performances, videos
and exhibitions. Some of these venues have included: Documenta 7, Kassel;
Alternative Museum, New York; Gallery A, Amsterdam; Tamura Gallery,
Tokyo; Gallery '73, Belgrad.
Last year Ilic donated fifty thousand pencils to the children in East
Timor.
Visitors
drawing with sculpture drawing device.
Opening night photos: Teri Slotkin
 
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