dikeoucollection

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Archives of American Art | Smithsonian Institution Acquires the Papers of Devon Dikeou Studio, zingmagazine, and Dikeou Collection

That old box of postcards, those yellowed clippings, envelopes with notes that were not to be forgotten. The sketched and scribbled detritus of day to day life is so easy to discard, but when saved and accrued over time, these little bits create a picture of one’s life just as rich as any painting and as real as any photograph. As an artist, publisher, curator, and collector, Devon Dikeou has had many of these materials pass through her fingertips, much of which she has thoughtfully saved and preserved. Possessing the intuitive nature to keep the paper trail of her career since the early 1990s and integrate the conceptual nuance of archiving into the wider scope of her art practice, Devon has accumulated an in-depth archive that has a culturally broad and deeply personal history within the contemporary art landscape. On September 8, 2022, Devon signed a pledge to have the papers pertaining to her studio practice, zingmagazine, and Dikeou Collection donated to the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art where they will be preserved for posterity and made available for public access and research. This important pledge capped off a special event at Dikeou Collection, Archive Live with Josh T. Franco, Head of Collecting at the Archives of American Art, where incredible documents and treasures were uncovered and revealing stories shared in front of a live audience.

Conceptualized by Josh Franco, Archive Live is an event where an artist sorts through their archival holdings with an archivist in an organic “unboxing” presentation so the public can experience the spontaneous discovery and conversation that transpires when a unique item is pulled from a box, folder, or drawer. There are dozens (and dozens) of boxes that hold the 30-years history of Devon’s artwork, zingmagazine, and Dikeou Collection files, so we made a point of bringing out a select few to present at the event.    

The first document discussed was not found in Devon’s archives but one that already exists in the Archives of American Art, and that was her original letter of interest to apply as an intern at Tibor de Nagy Gallery and the subsequent correspondence for acceptance in 1985. These letters represent the early beginnings of a remarkable life in the arts and Devon’s prescient appearance in the Smithsonian’s archives. From there the boxes revealed one-of-a-kind wonders like the late Dan Asher’s handwritten artist statement for his work in the Dikeou Collection, Wade Guyton’s installation drawings for “The Room Moved, the Way Blocked,” Leon Fuller’s original notebook of TV Drawings from zingmagazine issue 13, glossy fashion photos by As FOUR, keys from Devon’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It” series taped in a folder (an archival no-no), and endearing and often hilarious notes from the many artists that populate Devon’s circle over the years.

The talk ended with the announcement of the Archives of American Art’s acquisition of Devon’s papers. This moment was made official with Devon’s signature of the promised gift agreements via autopen - a throwback to her D.C. days as an intern for Colorado Senator Gary Hart. The task of sorting and preparing the papers for their move to the nation’s capitol will be like reliving Archive Live over and over again, with approximately 150 linear feet of boxes full of groovy gems waiting to be found and made available for those who seek them. 

- Hayley Richardson

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars Monthly Roundup

Joshua Abelow’s solo exhibition “Barnett Abelow” is now open at H.G.Chicago.

Anya Kielar’s solo exhibition “Shadow Box” is on view at Pioneer Works through December 11.

Devon Dikeou has officially pledged to have the papers of her artist studio, zingmagazine, and Dikeou Collection entered into the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art where they will be preserved for posterity and made available for public access and research.

Lizzi Bougatsos created a lens cloth and keepsake poster for her homegirl Chloë Sevigny’s latest collaboration with Baby Parker. She also recently walked in Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s fall 2022 runway show.

Inspiration from Marcel Dzama was seen on the runway via BORAASKSU’s spring 2023 collection presented at London Fashion Week.

Anicka Yi spoke on the Community Panel, moderated by Thelma Golden, at the recent Sky High Farm Symposium at Judd Foundation. She was joined by Father Mike Lopez and Tremain Emory. She was also recently featured on an episode of A brush with. . . podcast

Mycophile Agathe Snow’s sculpture practice has evolved to now include her passion for mushroom farming. She and her partner Anthony Holbrooke run Mattituck Mushrooms in the North Fork region. “The real truth to it is that we’re both sculptors. There’s nothing like a mushroom,” she said. “[Discarded materials] we’re collecting for making sculpture also go into making growing boxes for the mushrooms.”

Sebastiaan Bremer’s current exhibition at Edwynn Houk Gallery was recently reviewed in VMan Magazine.

Paul Ramírez Jonas was honored at the recent Socrates Sculpture Park Benefit.

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month.

Joshua Abelow, Untitled, 2022, Oil on linen, 12 x 9 inches

Joshua Abelow has work currently on view at King’s Leap in NYC through September 2

Image courtesy of aplusa.it

Sarah Staton opens SupaVenezia at A plus A gallery in Venice through September 25

Sebastiaan Bremer, Sophie 1, 2022

Sebastiaan Bremer “New Portraits” exhibition opens at Edwynn Houk Gallery in NYC September 10

Dikeou Collection

Devon Dikeou will be joined by Josh T. Franco, Head of Collecting for the Archives of American Art at Smithsonian Institution for Archive Live at Dikeou Collection on September 8

Dromodiller, courtesy of Serge Onnen

Check out some amazing behind the scenes shots from Serge Onnen’s film Dromodriller

Misaki Kawai, Hairy Exhibition Hall, 2022, 120 x 160 cm

Misaki Kawai has work currently on view at V1 Gallery in Copenhagen through September 17

Image courtesy of cbc.ca

Curator and artist Talysha Bujold-Abu gives us a tour of Marcel Dzama: Illustration and Other Worlds

Photo courtesy of Justin Goldwater

Follow Justin Goldwater’s walk across California on the Pacific Crest Trail

Photo courtesy of Ted.com

Watch Anicka Yi’s TED Talk, “Art That Imagines New Ways of Living with Machines”

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month.

Artist Anicka Yi stands with her work ″Soft Power Narcissist″ (2022) at Gladstone Seoul in Gangnam district, southern Seoul. [GLADSTONE]

Anicka Yi was profiled and interviewed for Korea JoongAng Daily. “Here in Seoul, people don't try to repress or turn away from the aromas whether it's on the body or in the kitchen and food. It's very refreshing.”

Wade Guyton, “Untitled,” 2021. Epson UltraChrome HDX inkjet on linen.Credit...Wade Guyton, via Matthew Marks Gallery; Tom Powel Imaging

Wade Guyton (and Anicka Yi) currently have work on view in “The Painter’s New Tools” at Nahmad Contemporary, through September 24. They were also cited in The New York Times article “Computers and Painting’s Identity Crisis” by Travis Diehl.

Chris Johanson. "Unknow Know With What Is 12," 2021. Acrylic and house paint on recycled and stretched canvas. Museum purchase, a gift from the Svane Family Foundation. Courtesy of Chris Johanson / Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York. Photograph by Randy Dodson

Chris Johanson’s “Unknown Know With What Is 12” was recently acquired by the de Young Museum’s contemporary collection

Joshua Abelow, Untitled, 2022. Oil on linen, 12 x 9 inches

@joshuaabelow

Joshua Abelow and Joshua Boulos open a two-person exhibition, “EDM,” at King’s Leap August 5

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month.

Jonathan Horowitz is now represented by Mitchell-Innes and Nash

Chris Johanson created a birdhouse for Brooklyn Botanic Gardens with the intention to “create a dialogue about the health of birds, of creatures, and of the planet.”

Walter Robinson’s exhibition, “Escape to Adventure,” is currently on view at Charlie James Gallery through July 16

Drue Langlois has original artwork available for purchase on his Instagram account. Also check out his films, animations and other merchandise available on his YouTube channel.

Misaki Kawai has work currently on view at Outpost Gallery in Copenhagen though July 23

Anicka Yi recently appeared on the Chanel Connects podcast in conversation John Akomfrah. 

Marcel Dzama illustrated Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” published by David Zwirner Books

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month.

Anicka Yi opened a solo exhibition, “Begin Where You Are,” on May 31 at Gladstone Seoul. Yi also currently seeks a Studio Manager in Brooklyn.

Lizzi Bougatsos designed a one-of-a-kind swan ice sculpture for friend Chloë Sevingny’s wedding earlier this spring. 

Paul Ramírez Jonas’ notable “Key to the City” project, now in its 5th iteration, is currently underway in Birmingham, England.

Jonathan Horowitz curated “The Future Will Follow the Past” at the newly reopened Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, open through December 2022.

Anya Kielar and Johannes VanDerBeek open “Pastel House” at Livia Fine Art in Zurich June 10 through September 3, 2022

Joshua Abelow’s upstate artist-run gallery, Freddy, is currently exhibiting work by Cheryl Donegan through June 18.

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month.

First and foremost, a big congratulation to Ester Partegàs for her award of the prestigious American Academy in Rome Prize in Visual Arts! She will head to Rome this fall and we look forward to keeping up with her on this incredible journey.

Far Out Magazine wrote a captivating review of Marcel Dzama’s “Pink Moon” art book, available from rough Trade Books.

Islington Gazette gives closer look at Simon Periton’s installations at Farringdon Station along London’t Elizabeth Line.

The catalog for Anicka Yi’s Tate Modern project will be released on May 17 from Abrams Books.

If you’re visiting the fairs in New York this week, be sure to head to NADA and look for Devon Dikeou’s “Cajole” installations throughout the fair environment.

Check out Anya Kielar’s artist profile and studio visit with Harper’s Bazaar Japan.

Olav Westphalen curated an exhibition titled “Sensitivity Training” which opens at the Gabrovo Biennial in the Balkans May 20-25

[dikeoucollection]

Recap: Spring Equinox at Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax

The wonders of spring - magical gardens, colors, rabbits, eggs, serpents. What could be regarded as the most alchemical of the seasons, the spring equinox, celebrated as Ostara since the 8th century, awakens the world to light, birth, and frivolity. In the wise words from the late, great Robin Williams, "Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”, and we did exactly on the vernal equinox at Dikeou Pop-Up on March 20. Denver artist Mario Zoots selected grooves from our vintage vinyl archive, Devon Dikeou’s “Donation” received a fresh bouquet of floral delights, Lizzi Bougatsos’ “Self-Portrait” ice sculpture dripped and glistened in the sun, folks adorned zingmagazine costumes, and photographer Anthony Camera was there to capture it all. See our Spring Equinox Reception photo highlights below!

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars Monthly Roundup

Devon Dikeou, Cajole: Oriental Opulence and Tropical Paradise, 1992 Ongoing, Artificial Flowers and Plants, Plant Identification Sign, Mirrored Planter Replicating Mall Ambiance, 3′ x 3′ x 8′ each, Unique, 2 AP′s; image courtesy artist and The Dikeou Collection

Devon Dikeou will infiltrate NADA New York 2022 at Basketball City with a number of her “Cajole” installations throughout the fair environment.

Anicka Yi: Force Majeure, 2017, plexiglass, aluminum, agar, bacteria, refrigeration system, LED lights, glass, epoxy resin, powder coated stainless steel, light bulbs, digital clocks, silicone, and silk flowers; image courtesy Guggenheim Museum, New York.

Anicka Yi was recently featured two Art in America articles about Bio Art by Claire Pentecost and Josie Thaddeus-Johns.  

Artwork by Chris Johnson; image courtesy the artist

Chris Johanson exhibited work in The Power of Pablo group art show and benefit at SOMArts in San Francisco.

Momoyo Torimitsu, Somehow I don’t feel comfortable, 2021, nylon, air blower, sound. At the Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī; image courtesy of the artist and Hawai‘i Contemporary. © Momoyo Torimitsu. Photo: Lila Lee.

Momoyo Torimitsu’s “Somehow I Don’t Feel Comfortable” (a fan favorite at The Dikeou Collection!) is blowing up at the Hawai’i Triennial with mentions in The Art Newspaper, Town and Country Magazine, and Artsy

Margaret Lee, Inner Form, #1 (white, black, sliver), 2022, oil paint on canvas. Brushed alluminum frame, 60h x 48w in; image courtesy the artist and The Green Gallery

Margaret Lee is currently exhibiting a dual exhibition with Alex Kwartler in an exhibition titled you make your pike, here, at The Green Gallery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Simon Periton and TfL's Eleanor Pinfield with the students of St Mary Magdalene Academy Islington in front of his work, Avalanche; image courtesy Callum Marius of My London News

Simon Periton contributed two installations to the new Elizabeth line station in London

Image courtesy Baader-Meinhof Gallery

Joshua Abelow opens a retrospective at not one, not two, but FIVE venues across the country (plus one in Copenhagen) this April through May. Full exhibition information can be found at joshuaabelow.com.

Wade Guyton, ‘Untitled Action Sculpture (Chair),’ 2001; image courtesy the artist and Luxembourg + Co.

Wade Guyton is exhibiting work in Bad Manners, a group show at Luxembourg + Co. 

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars Monthly Roundup

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month.

Devon Dikeou, Between the Acts (Virginia Wool): Jay Leno, 2014 Ongoing; Devon Dikeou, “WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?”: From Sculpture, 1991 Ongoing. Image courtesy of the artist

Work by Devon Dikeou will be exhibited in “Unsafe at Any Speed” curated by Kenny Schachter, opening at Morton Street Partners on March 15

Image courtesy of V1 Gallery

“Hairy Tales,” a solo exhibition by Misaki Kawai opens at V1 Gallery in Copenhagen on March 4

Image courtesy of the artist and news.sky.com

Chris Gilmour’s incredible cardboard constructions are now being used to create sustainable set designs for film and television

Image courtesy of Instituto Cervantes NY

Work by Ester Partegas is currently on view in “That” at Instituto Cervantes NY through April 2

Image courtesy of Sadie Coles HQ

Jonathan Horowitz and Simon Periton have work on view in “Repeater” at Sadie Coles HQ, London, through March 26

Image courtesy of Drew Broderick, Hawaii Contemporary

Lawrence Seward and Momoyo Torimitsu photographed with their work (Seward’s “Seward Sun” and Torimitsu’s “Somehow I Don’t Feel Comfortable”) at the Hawaii Triennial

Vik Muniz, “The Birth of Venus, After Botticelli” Triptych from Pictures of Junk, 2008. Image courtesy of the artist and Ben Brown Fine Arts

Vik Muniz: A Brief History of Art is on view at Ben Brown Fine Arts London through March 11

Image courtesy of the artist

“The change in policy says that we want everyone to have access to art-making and it’s not the privilege of the wealthy to be able to afford good art supplies.” - Lisa Kereszi, senior critic and director of undergraduate studies in art, on Yale School of Art’s recent course fee elimination

Anicka Yi, “Le Pain Symbiotique” (detail), 2014. Image courtesy of the artist and Pirelli HangarBicocca

Anicka Yi “Metaspore” at Pirelli HangarBicocca, on view through July 24, features more than 20 installations spanning the last decade of her career

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars Monthly Roundup

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month.

Paul Ramírez Jonas, Alternative Facts, 2017. Spare change supplied by the public, notary public seal and stamp, signature, ledger, leather desk pad, gold electroplating kit, scale, pyrite, paper, a gold melting and casting kit, paper, and a folding table. Photo: Scott Rudd.

Paul Ramirez Jonas was recently interviewed by Art & Education about his experience and philosophy as a teacher

Lucky DeBellevue, Gives (2009), courtesy of Paula Cooper Gallery

Work by Lucky DeBellevue is currently on view in “Stitched” at Paula Cooper Gallery through February 19

Marcel Dzama. Courtesy of David Zwirner.

Artnet interviewed Marcel Dzama about indispensable items in his studio, his must-have snacks, and his social media favs

Misaki Kawai, Moja Moja

Misaki Kawai created a furry, colorful indoor playground for kids (and parents) called Moja Moja Life for Kids Summer Festival in Melbourne, Australia

Unknow Know What Is 3, 2021, by Chris Johanson © Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York

Chris Johanson was featured in an article about meditative art in the Financial Times. He also recently published a book with Mitchell-Innes & Nash

[dikeoucollection]

Recap: Winter Solstice at Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax

Photo by Anthony Camera

The winter solstice is a time to reflect on the year that’s passed, and prepare for the new year ahead. Celebrated as Yule, an ancient pagan holiday, the solstice nestles itself between Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and other year-end festivities to symbolically (and astronomically) observe the longest night with brighter days to come. Our new tradition at The Dikeou Collection is to commemorate the seasonal equinoxes and solstices with a reception at Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax, so on December 21 we put on our dancing shoes and party hats, and lots of other pagan garb, and made the most out of the longest night of the year.

Photo by Anthony Camera

With its close proximity to Christmas, the solstice was the perfect opportunity to activate one of Devon Dikeou’s early performance pieces, “You Better Watch Out” (1991 Ongoing). Santa John was in attendance and pulled out all the stops - asking attendees if they’ve been naughty or nice, delighting in milk and cookies, and spiking the egg nog. Dikeou’s “Donation” was rejuvenated with an installation of fresh flowers, and was in good company with Lizzi Bougatsos’ “Self-Portrait.” DARIA Magazine founder and editor Genevieve Waller played festive selections from our vinyl archived, adorned in her finest gothic-wear for the dark night ahead. 

Devon has been collecting costume materials over the last few months to match the groovy vintage photos that grace the cover of zingmagazine as solstice garb. Photographer Anthony Camera could not have been more excited to document all the action as we played dress up in the rock’n’roll basement. The results are nothing short of amazing. . .

All of the following images by Anthony Camera Photography. More selections can be found at www.dikeoucollection.org, and the full portfolio can be viewed at anthonycamera.com

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars Monthly Roundup

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month. 

zingmagazine Managing Editor Brandon Johnson as Lawrence Welk

Devon Dikeou gave a crash-course in the zingmagazine legacy with managing editor Brandon Johnson for X Marks the Spot: A History of zingmagazine, Artist-Run-Publishing, and the Future of Print at Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax on November 9. Video documentation of that conversation can be viewed on zingmagazine’s Instagram account. 

Dikeou was joined with curator Cortney Lane Stell the following week for the much-anticipated artist / curator conversation What’s In-Between at The Dikeou Collection. You can catch the video documentation of that conversation here.

Artwork by Wade Guyton, courtesy of Reena Spaulings

Wade Guyton opens his solo exhibition, Supply Chain, at Reena Spaulings on December 5

Artwork by Anya Kielar, image courtesy of Rachel Uffner Gallery

Anya Kielar solo exhibition, The Muses, is on view at Rachel Uffner Gallery through January 8, 2022

Artwork by Joshua Abelow, courtesy of Anthony Greaney

Joshua Abelow solo exhibition, Trust Fall, is on view at Anthony Greaney through January 22, 2022

Image courtesy of Ballroom Marfa, youtube

Check out Ester Partegàs on Texas Talks Art from earlier this spring with Ballroom Marfa curator Daisy Nam

Artwork by Marcel Dzama, courtesy of David Zwirner Gallery

Three prints by Marcel Dzama are set to launch David Zwirner’s new contemporary print company, Utopia Editions.

Artwork by Chris Gilmour, courtesy of city of Leicester

Chris Gilmour built a stunning recreation of the city of Leicester entirely out of cardboard as part of the community’s annual Diwali celebration

Image courtesy of Barnabé Fillion

Designboom.com delved into Anicka Yi’s bio-tech hybrid installation “In Love With the World” at Tate Modern. She has also collaborated on a new fragrance brand called Arpa with perfumer Barnabé Fillion

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars Monthly Roundup

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month. 

zingmagazine

Devon Dikeou and zingmagazine Managing Editor, Brandon Johnson, will be in conversation at Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax on November 9th for “X Marks the Spot: A History of zingmagazine, Artist-Run-Publishing, and the Future of Print” 

Devon Dikeou Studio and The Dikeou Collection

Devon Dikeou will be in conversation again the following week with “Mid-Career Smear” curator Cortney Lane Stell at The Dikeou Collection on November 18th for “What’s In-Between: Artist and Curator Conversation with Devon Dikeou and Cortney Lane Stell”

Johanna Jackson and Chris Johnson as photographed for The New York Times

Chris Johanson and his wife Johanna Jackson were recently featured in The New York Times article, “An Artist Couple Who Live Among the Furniture They Create”

Flyer artwork by Bree Dolan

Devon Dikeou and Brandon Johnson will have work exhibited at the is FAIR 20202021, co-curated by Dikeou Collection Director Hayley Richardson, opening at the Globeville Rec Center in Denver November 11-14

Illustration by Marcel Dzama from Between the Lines Coloring Book

Find Marcel Dzama’s drawings featured in Between the Lines Coloring Book from RxART

“Peace Bear with Chili Pepper” by Sarah Staton

Sarah Staton contributed a life-size bear sculpture to Bears of Sheffield charity auction

Lawrence Seward, “1989″ and Momoyo Torimitsu, “Business in New York” as represented in The Dikeou Collection

Lawrence Seward and Momoyo Torimitsu will both be featured in the 2022 Hawai’i Contemporary Triennial 

Anicka Yi, “In Love With The World,” image courtesy of Tate Modern

Anicka Yi talks about her new installation “In Love With The World” with The UK Standard, DPA, Vogue, and The Guardian

Chris Gilmour, “Ford” as represented in The Dikeou Collection

Chris Gilmour served as inspiration for Rochelle Township High School students who created relief cardboard sculptures from recycled cardboard boxes for their 3-D Studio art classes

[dikeoucollection]

Dikeou Superstars Monthly Roundup

A quick snapshot of what Dikeou Collection artists have been up to over the past month, and what to look forward to next month. 

Devon Dikeou, “Donation” (detail), 2009 Ongoing

Devon Dikeou “Mid-Career Smear” in Denver, CO celebrated the fall equinox with the relaunch of the Dikeou Literary Series at Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax

Ester Partegàs, “Codependence,” 2019, cardboard, cotton fabric, wood glue, Fast Maché, acrylic and enamel paint, sealer, steel, plywood, 61 x 49 x 49 inches Courtesy of the artist and Foxy Production, NY.

Ester Partegàs and Claire Watson’s exhibition Guardian is on view at Essex Flowers in Chinatown through October 2.

Anicka Yi, “Biologizing The Machine (tentacular trouble),” 2019. Photo: Renato Ghiazza

Anicka Yi will debut her most ambitious project to date at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall on October 12.

Sarah Staton, “Alphonso,” 2021, wood-fired brick and bespoke hand paintings

Sarah Staton unveiled “Alphonso,” a public art installation in Newton Leys on September 19. Her SupaStore Pressure Drop traveling exhibition is currently on view at Cylinder Gallery in Seoul, South Korea.

Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber, “Library,” 2021

Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber of the Royal Art Lodge recently published Library, a book of collaborative paintings and illustrations of imaginary books and their titles.

Marcel Dzama, NYC Transit Bedford Avenue Station. Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design. Photo: MTA Arts & Design/ Kris Graves

Marcel Dzama, also from Royal Art Lodge lineage, created stunning mosaics at the Bedford and 1st Ave L Train stations in NYC

[dikeoucollection]

Recap: Fall Equinox Reception at Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax

Devon Dikeou, “Donation,” 2009 Ongoing

Located in the former Jerry’s Record Exchange storefront, Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax is an extension of The Dikeou Collection and offers an expanded look at Devon Dikeou “Mid-Career Smear” curated by Cortney Lane Stell. A reception was held at this location on September 22 to commemorate the fall equinox and welcome back our beloved Dikeou Literary Series. 

Some of Devon Dikeou’s earliest work from her career, as well as brand new pieces exhibited for the first time, are currently on view at the Dikeou pop-up. Dikeou’s outdoor installation, “Donation,” was the focal point of the event, as it receives a new arrangement of fresh flowers four times a year on the seasonal equinoxes and solstices. This massive architectural niche replicates those found within the Grand Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which receives new flowers on a weekly basis in a perpetual donation courtesy of benefactor Lila Acheson Wallace. As a member of the press, Dikeou would be privy to the Monday press previews at the museum, and witness the changing of the flowers, with last week’s arrangements tossed on the floor piece by piece. 

Lizzi Bougatsos, “Self-Portrait,” 2012

This interplay of what is temporary and what is permanent is reflected in another work in the Dikeou Collection by artist Lizzi Bougatsos, whose “Self-Portrait” ice sculpture is now part of the seasonal equinox/solstice cycle present within “Mid-Career Smear,” and was also on view as a special edition for the occasion. With a gorgeously opulent floral display fresh from the day, “Donation” provided the perfect setting for one of the first Dikeou Collection public gatherings in over a year.

Equinox Bleu

Organized by writer, teacher, and editor Mairead Case, the Dikeou Literary Series is the collection’s longest running program (over a decade!). The readers for the evening included Ivan Levitt, a sophomore at George Washington High School in Denver, André O. Hoilette who was nominated for a 2020 Pushcart Prize, Common Name Farm co-founder Phil Cordelli, and 2019 Fence Modern Poet winner Tess Brown-Lavoie. Reading equinox-themed works as the sun went down and the construction lights blared, the feelings of togetherness, openness, and sharing we’ve all longed for during these long months was fully achieved.

More event images can found here

[dikeoucollection]

Devon Dikeou “Mid-Career Smear” and Reclaiming the Ordinary

Devon Dikeou, “’What’s Love Got To Do With It’: From Sculpture,” 1991 ongoing; (detail) “Reserved for Leo Castelli: Since Cezanne (After Clive Bell),” 2012 ongoing

“In-betweeness” is a central theme to Devon Dikeou’s art practice, which she describes as the spaces and materials that set the stage for important events and human interaction. She takes a specific element of that space, like a sign board from a gallery lobby or a napkin from a cocktail party and magnifies its role in what transpired within its proximity. She often goes further to recreate the space itself, be it a Parisian café or a bedroom in The White House. This conceptual model lends itself to art that materializes as everyday objects and installations, but there is more to it than that. What makes Dikeou a master of this model is that she is not merely repurposing the ordinary but rather reclaiming and elevating it as something significant, worthy, and precious. We now exist in a time when people crave nothing but normalcy, and Dikeou’s works exhibited in her retrospective exhibition “Mid-Career Smear” at The Dikeou Collection satisfies that craving for the everyday.

Devon Dikeou, “Security/Secure,” 1989; (detail) “Do I Know You?,” 1991 ongoing; (detail) “The News,” 1991 ongoing; (detail) Security Ke-Master, 1991 ongoing

After an extended closure due to Covid-19, The Dikeou Collection officially reopened to the public in March 2021. Seeing new and familiar faces walk through the doors has been a refreshing reminder how important real-life art experiences are for everyone in the creative ecosystem, especially when that experience mimics “real life.” Security/Secure, The News, Do I Know You, Security Ke-Master. . . these are all objects one would see throughout the day, but in 2020 and 2021 thus far, they are now novel and dare I say, exciting. A man with his family visited recently, and while in the office (complete with an employee time clock and cards) he commented how he felt like he was at work, a place he had not been in close to a year. And the crazy part is that he actually seemed happy and energized by that realization.

Devon Dikeou, “’Takes A Licking, And Keeps On Ticking’—Timex Ad Campaign,” 1991 ongoing

Only in these strange Covid-times would someone revel in the fact that an art exhibition makes them feel like they are at their job. There is an inherent understanding that art experiences are special and meant to be appreciated because we carve time out of our busy schedules to have them. We seek opportunities to momentarily escape our normal lives and try to see the world through a fresh creative lens. Now that the world’s scope of normal is upended, we long to go back to the days of seeing businesses open their big front gates in the morning and grabbing a sandwich from the deli before heading into work or school. Devon Dikeou and The Dikeou Collection invite you to return to that world, just as you left it.

-Hayley Richardson