Tamar Ettun Exhibit Opens at Andrea Meislin Gallery 11/19

Andrea Meislin Gallery is set to announce an exhibition of sculpture and video by Tamar Ettun, One Thing Leads to Another: Part 2. This is the artist's first solo exhibition with the gallery. Opening Reception with the artist will be held on Saturday, November 19th from 4 - 6 pm.

Moving to the United States from Israel, Ettun attempted to bridge the gap between the two cultures by relying on symbols with roots in both places. Hot Air Balloons caught her attention because of their similarity to the parachutes she saw during her training in the Israeli Army. Upon graduating from the Yale MFA program (2010), Tamar Ettun received a travel grant that she used to research Hot Air Balloons while traveling from Vermont to San Francisco in forty days.

Through Ettun's travels - reminiscent of both the journeys in Homer's Odyssey and Around the World in Eighty Days - she collected materials and experiences that later formed the basis for her sculptures. In the end, there are forty small sculptures all based on the theme of transportation and movement - one for each day of her journey. Along with the sculptures, the secondary gallery space will feature a video installation projected onto an inflated Israeli Army parachute. In the video, Ettun slowly crosses a field in Vermont as she guides an enormous hot air balloon along with her. The balloon appears to float above Ettun - defying gravity and even pulling her upwards, but at the same time her movement reveals the balancing act she attempts in moving this heavy object along her charted course. Walking in a Field Holding a Hot Air Balloon was filmed in Vermont in conjunction with noted balloonist Brian Boland. Stills from the video will also be on display at the Gallery and available for purchase.

One Thing Leads to Another begins on November 12th with a multi-media performance arranged by Ettun, revolving around an overturned hot air balloon, reanimated through narrative, dance and shifting physicality. The audience is encouraged to move inside and outside the balloon to witness the narrative evolve with video projection, live music, and choreography from seven performers, including Ettun. One Thing Leads to Another is a part of Performa 11, presented by Recess.

Born in Jerusalem, New York-based artist Tamar Ettun creates installations, performances, videos, and objects. Major exhibitions include Herzelia Bienniale (2011), Boston University Rubin Frankel Gallery (2011), Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, NY (2011), The Queens Museum (2010), The Jewish Museum NYC (2009), PERFORMA Biennale 2009 presented by the X - Initiative NYC (in collaboration with Emily Coates), The Center of Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv (2009), Herzelia Museum of Contemporary Art (2008) and The Israel Museum (2008).

Andrea Meislin Gallery
526 West 26th Street, Suite 214
New York, NY 10001
Telephone 212.627.2552
Fax 212.627.1216
info@andreameislin.com
Gallery Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm