Through September 11, the Aspen Art Museum presents “Mountain / Time,” an exhibition of moving images spanning the entire museum. Curated by Chrissie Iles with Anisa Jackson and Simone Krug, “Mountain / Time” brings together works from the Rosenkranz Collection and the Whitney Museum of American Art in an exploration of time, re-mapping, and migration relating to the Colorado mountains.
Kahlil Joseph, “BLK NWS ®,” 2019, two screen video, color, sound, with wallpaper, courtesy of the artist and the Rosenkranz Collection.
“Mountain / Time” is deeply connected to the Aspen environment, as the Rocky Mountains’ and Aspen tree root system’s immense age relates to the exhibit’s investigation of time. The show includes video installations from Kahlil Joseph, Anicka Yi, and Alan Michelson, filmed in locations spanning the globe.
Kandis Williams, “Triadic Ballet,” 2021, single-channel video, sound, 9:10 min, dimensions variable with installation, courtesy of the artist and the Rosenkranz Collection
Notable pieces on display include Ian Cheng’s BOB (Bag of Beliefs) (2018-19), which is an artificial life form created by audience interaction, and Tourmaline’s Mary of Ill Fame (2019-21), a reenactment of the first open transgender Black woman in New York. akingdomcomethas (2018), from Arthur Jafa, utilizes archival research to collage footage of Black church musicians, singers, and preachers, and Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore (1999), created by Mark Leckey, likewise collages archival footage to depict Britain’s underground dance culture in Margaret Thatcher’s time.
Installation view of “BOB (Bag of Beliefs),” 2018–19, interactive artificial intelligence network, color, sound, infinite duration, © Ian Cheng. Courtesy of Gladstone Gallery and the Rosenkranz Collection.
Coinciding programming includes an itinerant cinema performance in an Aspen Grove by Korakrit Arunanonchai, whose videos are also on display in “Mountain / Time.” A series of film screenings in Smuggler Mine has been curated by Jackson, among others from Michael Gilepsie in a partnership with TACAW and Crystal Cinema in Carbondale.
Korakrit Arunanondchai, “Songs for Dying,” 2021, video, color, sound, 33:20 min, courtesy of the artist and the Rosenkranz Collection.
A two-week residency of Cauleen Smith at Anderson Ranch has been arranged, providing her with a research opportunity. Many talks have also been scheduled, with topics including moving image’s place in art culture.
Tourmaline, “Mary of Ill Fame,” 2020–2021, 16mm film transferred to video, color, sound, 17:14 min, courtesy of the artist © Tourmaline and Chapter NY, New York.
