The Poetics of Dimensions
Guest curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah
The Poetics of Dimensions, a groundbreaking group exhibition curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah, illuminates the works of visual artists who have honed artistic practices utilizing quotidian materials such as durags, shoelaces, felt, leather, single-use plastic, and more. These artists craft pieces that transcend the mundane to evoke contemplation of the sublime.
Each work in the exhibition is a poignant homage to overlooked histories, amplifying voices, and perspectives long consigned to the periphery. Artists in The Poetics of Dimensions alchemize “non-art” materials into poetic landscapes. The exhibition is a testament to the transformative power of creativity in sparking dialogue, reshaping perceptions, and challenging the orthodoxies that govern artistic practice. Grounded in exploration and experimentation, these works deepen viewers’ appreciation of materiality and the impact of artists who wield “non-art” resources as tools of innovation within their respective practices. It is an invitation to reimagine the very essence of art, urging audiences to embark on a journey of discovery and rediscovery within the limitless expanse of creative possibility.
Initially conceived for a presentation at Art Basel Miami Beach 2023 presented by UBS and ARTNOIR with curatorial assistance from Kiara Cristina Ventura, The Poetics of Dimensions showcased the talents of Anthony Akinbola, Sonia Gomes, Melissa Joseph, Julianknxx, and Nari Ward. Building upon this foundation, Ossei-Mensah is curating the second iteration of the project for ICA SF, enriching it with the diverse perspectives of Hugo McCloud, Nengi Omuku, Shinique Smith, Moffat Takadiwa, Rodney McMillian, Esteban Ramón Pérez, and Miguel Arzabe, who will join the ensemble artists.
Date
Oct. 2024 - Feb. 2025
LARRY OSSEI-MENSAH
IMAGE
Neapolitan, 2023, Durags on aluminum and wood frame
Courtesy of the Artist and Night Gallery, Los Angeles
Photo: Nik Massey
Nari Ward, The Martyrs of the Race Course, 2023 Shoelaces, Courtesy of the artist and Lehmann Maupin
Hugo McCloud, retirement, 2020 single use plastic mounted on panel Courtesy of the artist Sean Kelly, New York Photo: Jason Wyche
Moffat Takadiwa, Object of Influence (5G), 2021 gold perfume straws and cable ties Courtesy of the artist and Nicodim Gallery
Larry Ossei-Mensah is a Ghanaian-American curator and cultural critic reshaping our perceptions of art and society with a dynamic blend of innovation and inclusivity. Ossei-Mensah has leveraged his curatorial practice as a platform to establish a global footprint, having curated exhibitions from Manila to London to Athens and, most recently, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ossei-Mensah employs contemporary art and culture as a powerful medium for challenging norms and fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.
Formerly the Susanne Feld Hilberry Senior Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAD), Detroit, and Curator-at-Large at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Ossei-Mensah catalyzes change. Co-founding the nonprofit ARTNOIR, he pioneers racial equity in the art world, amplifying the voices of creatives, curators, and communities of color.
Ossei-Mensah's influence spans the globe, curating exhibitions in renowned spaces like MOAD in San Francisco, MASS MoCA, The Metropolitan Museum in Manila, Ben Brown Fine Arts in Hong Kong and London, as co-curated of the 7th Athen Biennale in Athens, MCA Denver, Seattle Art Museum, CAMH in Houston, Micki Meng Gallery and the Denver Art Museum to name a few. Ossei-Mensah consistently pushes the boundaries of contemporary expression by collaborating with trailblazing artists such as Steve McQueen, Kehinde Wiley, Chase Hall, Catherine Opie, Firelei Baez, and Judy Chicago.