If I Can’t Dance is pleased to announce
‘Combination Boiler’ an ambitious new work by artist Gerry Bibby commissioned by The Showroom, London.
Venturing beyond the scope of a typical artist commission, Bibby will take up residence at The Showroom and work behind the scenes, exploring the possibilities and limitations of the artist/institution dynamic. From this shift in position, he will probe the idiosyncrasies of the organisation’s apparatuses – focusing in particular on The Showroom’s heating system, rendering it as potential creative material. The project is presented as part of How to work together, a shared programme of contemporary art commissioning and research organised by Chisenhale Gallery, The Showroom and Studio Voltaire.
For How to work together, Bibby will undertake a six-week residency at The Showroom: interrogating the specific idiosyncrasies of the organisational apparatus by spending time amongst them. This period of fieldwork will inform 'The Drumhead (And Other Language Costumes)' a new book of fiction commissioned by If I Can't Dance, I Don't Want To Be Part Of Your Revolution, in partnership with KUB Arena Kunsthaus Bregenz, CCA Glasgow and The Showroom. The project reflects Bibby’s interest in notions of the social in production and ideas of shifts in function. Testing the possibilities that the complicities between an artist and organisation allow, he will assume a position from which to explore forms of intimacy and estrangement.
The exhibition opening, 29 April 6.30pm, will feature the launch of special edition merchandise, produced in support of 'The Drumhead (And Other Language Costumes)' . Extending the method of shared production, this 'floating action pen' is produced by Gerry Bibby in collaboration with Anders Clausen. The pen is the second in If I Can't Dance's artists' merchandise series, it can be purchased at If I Can't Dance events or by emailing info@ificantdance.org.
How to work together is supported by a capacity building and match funding grant from Arts Council England through Catalyst Arts, with additional funding in the first year from Bloomberg, Jerwood Charitable Foundation and Outset Contemporary Art Fund. Bibby’s project is additionally supported by the Australia Council for the Arts.
'The Drumhead (And Other Language Costumes)' is a commission of new work by Gerry Bibby initiated by If I Can’t Dance, I Don’t Want To Be Part Of Your Revolution in partnership with KUB Arena Kunsthaus Bregenz, CCA Glasgow and The Showroom, with the support of the Mondriaan Fund. With thanks to Biennale de Lyon and Frieze Art Fair.