About
The Star and Dove contemporary artspace is pleased to present the first solo show in Bristol by Anton Goldenstein: In Mitten Drinnen. The title (Yiddish meaning, in the meantime) refers both his eastern European roots as well as a notion of a reflective plateau in between times. South African born Goldenstein is based in Bristol and a member of the artist group Plan 9. He was one of the founding members of the ROW project and has exhibited both nationally and internationally at Century Gallery, London, Madame Lillies, London, Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno, North Wales, Sir John Cheshire Gallery, Jersey and Arena Gallery, Liverpool. He was also selected for the Bloomberg New Contemporaries in 2004 and briefly co-ran the Chuck Norris art group. He also enjoys cooking.
Goldenstein's artistic practice references the zeitgeist, the spirit of the age; his assemblages act as accumulators of sociological, anthropological and biological histories. Hi practice is predominantly sculpture, taking visual references from media and consumer culture. Another primary element of his practice involves anthropomorphism; animals often play the main characters in his work although people too play a part. He considers societal attitudes towards animals to be a significant quantifier of that society.
For his solo exhibition, In Mitten Drinnen at The Star and Dove, Goldenstein will present a series of works, which continue his interest in media and consumer culture. Two of the series presented in this show, Banana Republic and The Apes Of Wrath consider human exploits by placing primates in the roles of people, providing some type of objective stance/analysis of humanities endeavours. Anton is fascinated by our animal heritage and uses anthropomorphism, as it has long been used (in art, science, religion etc), as a way of understanding and relating to the world at large.
Essentially I am an ape, and I make art. A great deal of what is depicted in my work finds much of its visual references in media and consumer culture. Much of my art making is not dissimilar to childhood games which my mother thinks I've never stopped playing.
Related event;
Wednesday Salon 23 July 7-9pm
This informal discussion evening is led by Lindsay Hughes with Anton Goldenstein. Other artists are invited to show and talk about their work alongside Anton.
For more information please contact Lindsay Hughes, curator, The Star and Dove contemporary artspace at info@staranddovearts.com or 07967229353.