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REGEN PROJECTS II
9016 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Tel. (310) 276-5424 Fax. (310) 276-7430
www.regenprojects.com


LAWRENCE WEINER: AROUND & AROUND HIGH & LOW
May 19 - June 23, 2012
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 19, 6:00 - 8:00 pm


Regen Projects is pleased to announce an exhibition by Lawrence Weiner. The show will feature new works in language and works on paper. This will be Weiner's seventh solo exhibition at the gallery. Lawrence Weiner had the inaugural show at the Stuart Regen Gallery (now Regen Projects) in December of 1989, and this exhibition will mark the end of the West Hollywood locations and the move to the gallery's new Hollywood space opening in September 2012.

A pioneer of Conceptual art, Lawrence Weiner began making art in 1960 and remains one of the most dynamic artists working today. In 1968, Weiner radically shifted his practice from making objects to producing work in language. His "Statement of Intent" outlines the way a work may exist:

1. THE ARTIST MAY CONSTRUCT THE WORK
2. THE WORK MAY BE FABRICATED
3. THE WORK NEED NOT BE BUILT

EACH BEING EQUAL AND CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT OF THE ARTIST
THE DECISION AS TO CONDITION RESTS WITH THE RECEIVER UPON THE
OCCASION OF RECEIVERSHIP

Weiner's redefinition of practice, where language could function as material, allowed for the existence of a work of art that was no longer dependent upon construction.

Lawrence Weiner reached the conclusion in 1968 that language could function on its own in lieu of other materials. His work utilizes language as it is; that is, not in predetermined association with a material support or contextual framework. The thematic content of individual works derives solely from the import of the language employed, while presentational means and contextual placement play crucial, yet separate, roles. Embodied in language, Weiner's work is not confined in traditional manner to an existence in one place or time. Taking the form of linguistic construction, it is to be understood as sculpture. These 'sculptures' are peripatetic and infinitely multivalent in terms of how, when, and where they are shown.
(Anne Rorimer, "Medium as Message/Message as Medium," in New Art in the 60s and 70s: Redefining Reality, New York: Thames & Hudson Inc., 2001, pp. 76-77)

Lawrence Weiner's work has been exhibited extensively worldwide. A comprehensive retrospective of Weiner's nearly 50-year career was organized by Ann Goldstein and Donna De Salvo at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York in 2007-2008. Following the retrospective, Gregory Burke curated an exhibition of Weiner's. work at The Power Plant, Toronto in 2009. Weiner also participated in the 2005 Venice Biennale and will participate in Documenta (13) opening in Kassel, Germany in June 2012. A forthcoming catalogue raisonné from Hatje Cantz titled NACH BILDENDE KUNST / AFTER FINE ART will feature Weiner's works that have been presented in German.

An opening reception for Lawrence Weiner will take place on Saturday, May 19, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. For further information please contact Jennifer Loh, Heather Harmon, Donna Chu, or Brad Hudson at (310) 276-5424.