A Conspectus of the Department of Shape Research 1995 – 2008 April 5, 2008

A Conspectus of the Department of Shape Research 1995 – 2008

April 5 – May 3, 2008

Opening Saturday April 5, 5 – 8pm

p|m Gallery is pleased to present the Canadian debut of A Conspectus of the Department of Shape Research 1995 – 2008 by Brooklyn-based artist Kurt Bigenho.

The Dept. of Shape Research (DSR) is a database of ‘form-shape-thought- moments’, in other words, many 1000s of abstract shapes categorized and tagged according to an elaborate, invented classification system. Instead of willfully ‘expressing’ himself, Bigenho has invented a bureaucratic organization do so. The Dept. of Shape Research is, in part, an investigation of those forms and patterns (biological, psychological, aesthetic) which Bigenho as an “artist” simultaneously creates and perceives; a quasi-methodical “science” for understanding and recording his own creative DNA.

“The Dept. of Shape Research, founded in 1995 in Oakland, California, has been chartered with the research, development, synthesis, and categorization of unique, original and in many cases entirely new shapes. Occasionally, through its outreach program, DSR makes limited numbers of its shapes available to the public-at-large. Its engineers are currently developing a state-of-the-art digital repository to house these legacy shapes as well as the many hundreds of embryonic shapes discovered and/or developed yearly. Privately owned and funded, but with a determined, philanthropic mission, the Dept. of Shape Research holds itself, whenever possible, to the highest professional, ethical, and scientific standards, during the course of its manifold activities.” K.B.

Kurt Bigenho’s work spans, skips, and merges mediums – conceptual art, performance, installation, spectacle, informatics, pranks, farce, design, branding, photography, video, sculpture, participation, writing, games, new media, experience. His work has two primary streams of investigation, the creation of original participatory experiences and the exploration of form, structure and typology.

For further information on gallery programming please contact Powell, Director of p|m Gallery: [email protected] or 416.937.3862. To preview work by these and other artists please go to www.pmgallery.ca.

p|m Gallery is located in Toronto's east end at 1159 Dundas Street East, (nearest intersection is Dundas Street East & Carlaw Avenue); the gallery entrance is off of the lane on the west side of the building. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11am – 6pm, all other times by appointment or chance.