Nikita Gale: IN A DREAM YOU CLIMB THE STAIRS

(Paperback)

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Description

Chisenhale Gallery launches the second title in its Chisenhale Books series, Nikita Gale: IN A DREAM YOU CLIMB THE STAIRS. Marking the finale of Gale's Chisenhale exhibition, her first artist's book contains an intergenerational conversation with conceptual artist Barbara Kruger and a short meditation by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Hilton Als. These feature alongside contributions by artist and Chisenhale Gallery alum P. Staff and Dr. Bndicte Boisseron, author of Afro-Dog: Blackness and the Animal Question. Through the lens of a multifaceted practice, Gale examines themes of invisibility and audibility, interrogating the dynamic between performer and spectator, structure, and decay. Produced with great care, this extraordinary book is reflective of the artist's practice. Four visual essays, hand-annotated by Gale - 'Absence', 'Ruin', 'Silence', 'Dog' - explore themes central to the work. Nikita Gale: IN A DREAM YOU CLIMB THE STAIRS deploys throw-outs, gatefolds, five different types of papers, and a subtly disruptive design to delve into Nikita Gale's art.

Text by Zo Whitley, P.Staff, Hilton Als, Barbara Kruger and Dr. Bndicte Boisseron.

Book Design & Creative Direction by Billie Temple.

Reviews

''A meaningful reflection on 21st century artmaking with some of the most pre-eminent thinkers on the theme. The conversations that arrive with Gale's work at Chisenhale and beyond are essential landmarks in how we discuss contemporary art practices today. Altogether these conversations alongside Gale's visual interludes are formatted into a beautiful publication.'' - Katy Hessel
''The catalog is truly a terrific project. Wow. I've spent so much time with the texts and images. Such an evocative gathering of ideas, picturings, poetics, commentary and a whole lot more. I'm so happy to have been included.' ' - Barbara Kruger

Author Bio

Nikita Gale's work applies the lens of material culture to consider how authority is negotiated within political, social and economic systems. The LA-based artist holds a BA in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeological Studies from Yale University and earned an MFA in New Genres at UCLA. Gale's exhibition at Chisenhale Gallery marks her first European institutional solo show. Her work has been exhibited recently at 52 Walker (New York); MoMA PS1 (New York); Kunstraum Kreuzberg (Berlin); Swiss Institute (New York); California African American Museum (Los Angeles); Cubitt (Los Angeles); The Studio Museum in Harlem (New York); and in Made in L.A. 2018 at the Hammer Museum (Los Angeles). Gale is represented by Commonwealth & Council (LA), 56 Henry (NYC) and Reyes | Finn (Detroit).