2009 | Red Bucket Films curated by Hannah Gruy
24 June – 1 August 2009
CRISP presents the solo debut of New York-based Red Bucket Films: Alex Kalman, Josh Safdie and Ben Safdie with Lola Sinreich, Nick Poe, Sam Lisenco, Brett Jutkiewicz, and Zachary Treitz. Their work is presented in various media – sculpture, works on paper and a primary focus on film. They investigate their surroundings by documenting the rich diversity of urbanity whilst examining their peculiar humor.
Red Bucket curated by Hannah Gruy includes work that examines the public sphere and the unpredictability of contemporary life. One of the featured works, Buttons, is a series of “stolen moments” which explores the rich fabric that makes up New York; its inherent diversity and the relevance in appreciating it. Usually shot with a camera as small as a button, these vignettes when edited together demonstrate the importance of the second glance and power of the seemingly mundane landscape. The work on paper, Us Patents: 4 Family Trees, traces the explosion of popular culture and consumerism within society. Broken up into four different categories: Transportation, Consumption, Laziness and Insecurity – the piece observes the relation between technological advancement and social behavior such as commonplace inventions like the TV Dinner from 1953. Stealing is Bad (Please Don’t Steal My Bike) is the featured sculpture – in which a bicycle hangs on the wall of the gallery, alongside the key to its lock, with a note that asks the viewer not to steal the bike, rather, to give the artists a phone call first to discuss it. Finally, Red Bucket Films is the latest induction into the Video Library in Los Angeles.
Born out of anthropological curiosity, Red Bucket Films is a montage of images, sounds, words, music, color, hate and love. Through insight and humor, Red Bucket Films turns contemporary living into an archival history that can be rediscovered and re-imagined. These untold myths explore the conditions of the public arena, ultimately transcending the streets of New York and commenting on the uncontrollable human condition.
Red Bucket Films lives and works in New York City. Recent projects include Directors Fortnight, Cannes Film Festival (2008-2009), Pocket Films Festival (2009), BFI London International Film Festival (2008), Melbourne International Film Festival (2008), Slamdance (2007-2008), Sarasota Film Festival (2008), Los Angeles Film Festival (2007-2008), South by Southwest (2007-2008), Thessaloniki International Film Festival (2008), Rooftop Films and MoMA (2008), Disposable Film Festival (2008) with recent exhibitions at Better History Gallery (2009), Partners and Spade Gallery, New York (2008), Christine Koenig Gallery, Vienna (2008) and Spectra Silvermine Art Guild Photo Triennial (2007).
Installation view, ground level, June 2009
U.S. Patents: 4 Family Trees, June 2009
U.S. Patents: 4 Family Trees (detail), June 2009
Installation View, ground level, From Skies to Basements, June 2009
Installation view, first level, June 2009
Installation view, first level, June 2009
Installation view, (approaching) second level, June 2009
Installation view, second level, June 2009
Installation view, second level, June 2009
All images courtesy Red Bucket Films and CRISP LONDON LOS ANGELES