Re-Figurations

Sculpture Month Houston’s ninth annual exhibition, "Re-Figurations," at Site Gallery Houston at The Silos at Sawyer Yards explores the radical transformations in the representation of the human figure that began with Modernism.

Cubism radically redefined figurative concepts. "Picasso reinvented anatomy," lamented a mid-century MoMA curator. The deconstruction, fragmentation, and subsequent reconstruction of the human form became an emblem of a world in upheaval, symbolizing existential insecurity and the modern condition itself.

The eighteen artists in this exhibition present a wide range of installations that investigate new approaches to the figure, often pushing the outer limits of re-figurations. They are trying to formulate visual metaphors for the pressing issues of our time. The digital revolution and its powerful tools have expanded artistic possibilities and broadened the exploration of new subjects.

The earliest known artwork, the 40,000-year-old "Lion-Man" figurine from southern Germany, depicts a creature with a human body and a lion’s head. This re-figured human form marks the beginning of humanity’s long tradition of visionary imagery: chimera, cyborgs, bio-robots, and other avatars of our imagination.

One of today’s most consequential developments is the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence and the biosciences in reshaping social norms and even human evolution. Along with the excitement over their fabulous promises, there is growing unease about the implications if one considers the manipulation of the human genome or new human-machine interfaces. The convenience of AI services such as ChatGPT or Grok masks a Faustian bargain: as we outsource cognitive, emotional, and creative functions, we risk becoming true chimeras — hybrids of human and machine.
 
This year is our Biennial Festival, and we want to thank the Houston Arts Alliance and the City of Houston for awarding us a festival grant. We invited 40 plus art venues to celebrate Sculpture Month Houston by exhibiting sculptures and 3-D works of art throughout Houston. We will have a special festival program on most Saturday afternoons after the 2pm public exhibition tours at Site Gallery Houston.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS AT SITE GALLERY HOUSTON:
Victor Calise Blanchard, Elizabeth Chapin, Celia Eberle, Dave Greber, Clara Hoag, Iva Kinnaird, Dion Laurent, Tala Madani, Jack Massing, Patrick Medrano, McKay Otto, Emily Peacock / Patrick Renner, Jonathan Read, Chris Sauter, James Sullivan, Kamila Szczesna, Nestor Topchy.

- Volker Eisele, Curator