Friday night celebrated OC’s dear friend Marcel Dzama with the opening of his latest exhibition, Puppets, Pawns and Prophets at David Zwirner gallery in London. Inspired by his fascination with chess and the legendary chess player Marcel Duchamp, the works brought us into Marcel's fantastical world, cast in his signature palette of muted, earthy tones. The large exhibition, which spanned over three floors, revealed an array of new and past works that included drawings, dioramas, collage, video, and sculptural works.
Video was a reigning feature of the exhibition. Outside the gallery, Dot and I were greeted by television sets that looped Marcel's four-minute film, Death Disco Dance, and blared its disco-esque soundtrack, created by Marcel using a small drum. Like his previous short film, A Game of Chess, Death Disco Dance was filmed in Guadalajara, Mexico and features ballet dancers performing in synchronicity (which we learned was entirely improvised). Also premiered was Sister Squares; this short film takes its title from Marcel Duchamp’s Opposition and Sister Squares are Reconciled, a book that cites theological gaming strategies. The black and white film is divided into four sections and calls on the narrative of A Game of Chess while drawing parallels between chess and war. The theme of the real versus the fictional world was present throughout the exhibition.
After the show, friends of Marcel headed into Marylebone for a feast at Grazing Goat and to toast to another exceptional show. We indulged with dishes like rabbit, bacon, and mushroom terrine, rib-eye steak with peppercorn sauce, banana bread with walnut sauce, and banana ice cream.
Check out our recent interview with Marcel here.
Through May 11th, 2013
DAVID ZWIRNER GALLERY
24 Grafton St
London W1S 4EZ
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Dot and me en route to the show
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Tremaine and Hadarrah
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Video was a reigning feature of the exhibition. Outside the gallery, Dot and I were greeted by television sets that looped Marcel's four-minute film, Death Disco Dance, and blared its disco-esque soundtrack, created by Marcel using a small drum. Like his previous short film, A Game of Chess, Death Disco Dance was filmed in Guadalajara, Mexico and features ballet dancers performing in synchronicity (which we learned was entirely improvised). Also premiered was Sister Squares; this short film takes its title from Marcel Duchamp’s Opposition and Sister Squares are Reconciled, a book that cites theological gaming strategies. The black and white film is divided into four sections and calls on the narrative of A Game of Chess while drawing parallels between chess and war. The theme of the real versus the fictional world was present throughout the exhibition.
After the show, friends of Marcel headed into Marylebone for a feast at Grazing Goat and to toast to another exceptional show. We indulged with dishes like rabbit, bacon, and mushroom terrine, rib-eye steak with peppercorn sauce, banana bread with walnut sauce, and banana ice cream.
Check out our recent interview with Marcel here.
Through May 11th, 2013
DAVID ZWIRNER GALLERY
24 Grafton St
London W1S 4EZ
MAP
Dot and me en route to the show
Tremaine and Hadarrah
