Curated by James Elphick and Yuri Zupančič
– Exclusive access to a unique collection of over 40
William S Burroughs artistic works featuring original works, many never before exhibited
FEATURING:
New works / film screenings / workshops / talks + much more..
**FREE**
Londonewcastle space – Redchurch St – East London
RSVP PRIVATE VIEW:
Thursday 28th August 6pm – 10pm – Press and Invites Only
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
Friday 29th August – Sunday 7th September 2014 – 11am – 7pm daily
William S Burroughs is recognised as one of the most culturally influential writers and visionaries of the 20th Century and his legacy continues to steer world culture and creative thinking. A progenitor of the Beat Generation, his writing and ideas changed literature forever. Burroughs’ multi-media collaborations spawned new directions in film and music and his art is only now being properly discovered and explored. His works come alive in new ways each day and his legacy is constantly evolving.
We are proud to announce exclusive access to a unique collection of William S Burroughs artistic works, curated by James Elphick and Yuri Zupančič
Animals in the Wall exhibition showcases a new side to Burroughs’ exciting work and premiers in the artistic hub of East London. The exhibition will feature original Burroughs’ works including some never before shown, in addition to new multimedia experiments and an exciting programme of talks, film screenings and workshops.
This exhibition explores his ideas and themes as they continue to steer world culture and creative thinking, connecting to modern times through his art. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a new generation to get up close with the innovative nature of this work.
In many ways Burroughs was creating art for future generations. In 2014, the centennial year of his birth, his work continues to strike poignant chords. It has an enduring relevance, bringing to light important issues that are in sync with the times. He made many prescient predictions on technological evolution and the oversteps of sociopolitical ‘Control’ systems. Burroughs created many works as a form of resistance; his stated purposes included exposing systems of oppression and creating a “mythology for the space age,” complete with “heroes and villains with respect to overall intentions with regard to this planet.”
“-control symbols pounded to word and image dust; crumbled cloth bodies of the vast control machine- the whole structure of reality went up in silent explosions under the whining sirens-” -The Ticket That Exploded, 1962
The act of non-conformity and dissent runs deep within the Burroughs ethos. There are many anarchic graffiti-esque elements in Burroughs’ paintings, for which he used spray paint aerosols, stencils, paste-up collages and letter forms. His marks are those of an ambitious and rebellious outsider scrawling text and layering images into new forms.
Burroughs’ art works were mainly created from the early ’80s to late ’90s and resonate well with the vibrant street art of today’s East London, where this exhibition is being premièred. Graffiti tags form ‘cut-ups’ of texts along the train tracks to the gallery and the diverse and colourful illegal art that covers this part of the city has always fostered a space for free thought.
Burroughs’ legacy is explored, re-defined and re-appropriated for a modern audience through commissioned artists and events programmes, designed to introduce, expand and directly engage with young, innovative, and cultured audience alongside mature fans of arts and literature.
Interzone – Celebrating 100 Years of William S Burroughs from Guerrilla Zoo on Vimeo.
http://www.guerrillazoo.com/william-s-burroughs.html
http://londonewcastle.com