MARNIE WEBER

Saving the Farm

October 2 – November 14, 2008

On Thursday 2 October 2008, Bernier-Eliades Gallery will host the opening of the first solo exhibition of the American artist Marnie Weber, entitled: Saving the Farm.

Marnie Weber (lives and works in Los Angeles) creates fascinating works that blend reality with fiction, and unfold an imaginary world of singing flowers, masked mermaids, warrior pigs and ghoslty clowns.

Marnie Weber’s works usually explore the subject of community, specifically the community of living things –both animal and humans- whether coexisting in the imagination or on earth. Animals play an important role in Weber’s works and there is a strong influence from the innumerable ways in which they have been perceived, mythologized, and depicted throughout history.

Her art incorporates a great variety of mediums such as films, sculptures, videos, collages, illustrations and performances, and basic craft materials like fabric and fur, glitter, glue and papier-maché.

What is prominent also in Marnie Weber’s work, is the surreal narrative, which is enhanced at its best with the use of costumes.

Since her early works, costumes have been central. All costumes she creates transform their wearers, including the artists herself, who actually dons them in her live performances, videos and films.

She refers to them not as costumes but as characters: “it’s hard for me to think of them as nonliving things”, she explains. “Even when they are on a mannequin, they seem to carry a spirit with them, and you get a feeling for the personality, even if it’s not moving”.

The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday 10:30 - 20:00 and Saturday 12:00 - 16:00.