Beware:
“The Invisible Dog“ is unleashed this Saturday, October 3rd! The
latest group exhibition produced by No Longer Empty, “The Invisible
Dog” is a show “out of nothing” in a warmly decrepit out-of-use belt
factory on Bergen Street in Brooklyn.
Following the
tails of the Improv Everywhere stunt last week, the show presents a
multitude of site-specific works reflecting both the history of the
space and the profound beauty of the Invisible Dog. A rift on the
70’s gag, it’s a void object waiting for creative minds and hands to
bring it to life.
Here in the factory, artists grabbed the many trimmings, reels of
fabric, leather and other materials and transformed them into something
new. The artist duo Steven and William created a “chandelier” of
abandoned belt buckles. Guerra del la Paz amassed tons of discarded
clothing, one color at a time. Here, la Paz’s “trashy” tribute becomes
an imposing, yurt-shaped spectral prism. In the neighborhood spirit,
Tom Sanford brings Jonathan Lethem’s novel “Motherless Brooklyn”--
which takes place on this block, to life via a fantastic, larger than
life mural. Even the freight elevator is transformed: here, Giuseppe
Stampone takes us on a trip from Hell to Heaven al Dante.
The Invisible Dog, 51 Bergen St, Brooklyn ( f / g train to Bergen Street )
Festive Opening: October 3rd, 6-9pm.
The exhibition is free and open to the public through October 31st.
Hours: Thursday/Friday 2-8 pm and Saturday/Sunday: 12-8 pm. The show
is curated by Manon Slome, Asher Remy-Toledo and Julia Draganovic, with
Tara de la Garza and Julian Navarro.
Participating artists:
Thomas Bell, Ryan Brennan, Amanda Browder, Rosane Chamecki, Andrea
Lerner & Phil Harder, Gina Czarnecki, Jeanette Doyle, Steve
DeFrank, Richard Garet, Guerra de la Paz (Alain Guerra & Neraldo de
la Paz), Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Kaarina Kaikkonen, Giles Lyon, Sara
Modiano, Miguel Palma, José Parlá, Rey Parlá, Ian Rawlinson & Nick
Crowe, Tom Sanford, Keith Schweitzer, Francesco Simeti, Alfred
Steiner, Giuseppe Stampone.
NO LONGER EMPTY
transforms vacant spaces into public art exhibitions. As a response to
the economic crisis, the organization revitalizes emptiness by filling
the sites with positive energy and works of art. The organization
hopes to stimulate local communities through worthwhile exhibitions,
and by drawing flows of visitors to each neighborhood for these
programs.
For more information, including the schedule
of upcoming band nights, conversations and other events: please see www.nolongerempty.com or contact Manon Slome at 917-916 9580 or info@nolongerempty.com.
The Invisible Dog - a short history.
The factory at 51 Bergen Street was built in the late 1800’s. Over the years it
has been used for various things, including manufacturing, storage and
parking. 51 Bergen Street was purchased in the 1970’s by one Mr. George
Zorbas, who was a former US Army Air Corp pilot during WW II. After the war,
he started his own jewelry and clothing business and eventually he owned
several factories in downtown Brooklyn. After purchasing the building at
51 Bergen Street, he consolidated his business there and made costume
jewelry, belts, necklaces, small clothing items and a well known children’s item
called the “Invisible Dog.” At the peak of production, this factory operated 24
hours per day with three shifts and employed 150 workers. By the early-mid
1990’s, it became very difficult for this business to compete with low cost
manufacturing in places like China and Mexico, so the business slowly
dwindled. For the last 10 years, the main product manufactured at 51 Bergen
Street was the “Invisible Dog,” and this product was sold to places such as
Six Flags Amusement Park and to Disneyland. After Mr. Zorbas died in 1994
the building was sold to its present owners in 2007. In December 2008, Lucien
Zayan, a native of Paris, discovered the Invisible Dog Factory and decided to
transform it as an Arts Center. The ground floor will be the main space for
events, exhibitions, performances and concerts. The Second Floor will be
artists' studios and 9 artists have already moved in.The Third Floor will be a
rental space for all kind of artistic events. |
