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DAN WESTLAKE

Place of birth London
Country of residence United Kingdom

Employing the syntax of minimalism and the grammar of conceptual art, my work explores the dichotomy between a theoretical position viewing practice as, in essence, a process of ego-centric affirmation through communication and a theological position, informed by metaphysical nihilism, that emancipation can only be experienced outside of languages’ binary-structures. This raises a central ethical paradox existing as the fulcrum of my practice: communication without a communicated - it being inevitable that in communication a 'something' will be, or will be perceived to be, communicated and that this something cannot avoid enmeshment within a network of linguistic systemization; a process antipathetic to that of authentic liberation. I aim to negotiate this paradox and open up a space beyond the network of binary-oppositions by exploring the (im)possibilities of a purely phatic mode of communication, privileging absence over presence as a strategy of destabilization. Often employing language itself as a pharmacia, I embrace the aesthetic issues that arise in even the most dematerialized of praxis by exploiting the ephemera of the everyday – i.e our everyday existence within advanced capitalist society. By creating explicitly open-work the production of a horizontal and anti-authoritarian arena of engagement is facilitated.


Selected International Exhibitions:

Exchange Show 07: (co-curator) The Great Hall Gallery, Cooper Union, East Village, NYC. (May 2007)

EYSE:The Foundation Building, Cooper Union, East Village, NYC. (May 2007)

Untitled: Spencer Sweeney Studio, LES, NYC. (May 2007)

Venir: Arendal, Norway (July 2006)


Selected UK Exhibitions:

Live Sonic Arts Event:(curator) S.U Bar, Chelsea College of Art & Design, London. (Nov 06)

AtelierTransPal: Parade Ground, Chelsea College of Art & Design, London (Nov 06)

The Stannary Show: 33 Stannary Street, Oval. (June 2006)

This Way Up: Temporarycontemporary,Old Seager Distillery, Deptford, London (May 2006)

The Cigarettes & Alcohol Show: (Co-curator of group show/Installation) The Spread Eagle Public

Video Work displayed on site at Chelsea College of Art and Design (December 2005)

Video Installation displayed on site at Chelsea College of Art and Design (May 2005)

First Time: Group Show on site at Chelsea College of Art and Design.(November 2005)

Exhibitions Degree Show BA (H0ns) Fine Art, 14.Jun - 19.Jun.08, Chelsea College of Art & Design


http://danwestlake.net/

 

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