Tony Oursler : Talks at The New School

A pioneer of video art in the early 1980s in New York, Tony Oursler has developed an experimental and innovative practice that utilizes projections, optical devices, audio, video, and sculpture to move images away from the white wall and onto unexpected surfaces or environments. Employing dramaturgy, stop motion, and live action, his films draw inspiration from mystic and spiritual phenomena, while frequently making reference to science and technological advancements, to create a dialogue between perception and communication.

The artist’s talk on November 1 at The New School accompanies his dynamic new Public Art Fund commission Tear of the Cloud, on view at Riverside Park South from October 10th through October 31st. Oursler will offer insight into the development of this highly technical multi-media installation, and will share stories and anecdotes gleaned through his rigorous research into the Hudson River region.

Tear of the Cloud will be presented in the evenings over a three-week-period and features a new, multi-part video and sound work projected onto the river, historic gantry, and surrounding landscape, creating a dramatic visual and auditory experience inspired by the many intertwined histories of the Hudson River. Oursler’s immersive work will showcase newly created footage featuring characters, iconography, and imagery associated with the history of the Hudson River and the surrounding area, creating an ambient and exploratory experience for audiences.

Tony Oursler (b. 1957, New York, NY) lives and works in New York City. His museum exhibitions include The Museum of Modern Art, New York (2017); Magasin III Museum & Foundation for Contemporary Art, Stockholm, Sweden (2016); Hessel Museum of Art, Bard College, Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (2016); The Museum of Modern Art, New York (2016); LUMA Westbau, Zurich, Switzerland (2015); Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2014); Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2014); Pinchuk Art Centre, Kiev, Ukraine (2013); ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Denmark (2012); Helsinki City Art Museum, Finland; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2005); Kunsthaus Bregenz, Austria (2001); Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2000) and Kunstverein Hannover, Germany (1998). He has also participated in prestigious group exhibitions including documenta VIII and IX, Kassel, Germany (1987 and 1992). Oursler’s work is included in public collections worldwide, among them the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, DC; Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France; Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Museum of Osaka, Japan; Tate Collection, London, UK; Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, The Netherlands and ZMK/Center for Art & Media, Karlsruhe, Germany.