Derrick Adams “ON” at Pioneer Works

Pioneer Works is pleased to announce ON, a solo exhibition of new work and performance by Derrick Adams, curated by Pioneer Works Director Gabriel Florenz. Through large-scale, boldly colored mixed media collages, performance, sound pieces, and illuminated sculptures, ON continues Adams’ investigation of consumerism and the dramatization of black figures in entertainment and popular culture.
ON spans three gallery spaces on Pioneer Works’ ground floor.  In the main space, Adams will present nine large-scale, mixed-media wall hangings (building upon his LIVE and IN COLORseries) that function as both sculptural objects and backdrops for live performance.  On opening night, Adams will act as conductor, live mixing sound from mic’d performers within the nine settings into an orchestrated production.  The performers’ scripts reference scenes from television programs from the late 1980s and early 1990s as well as late-night infomercials. The constructed environments along with Adams’ interventions allude to the manipulated and programmed reality of contemporary culture—from targeted advertisement campaigns to social archetypes that dominate the media.  The performance will be recorded, then projected onto a gallery wall for the duration of the show.