The "Common Ground" exhibition seeks to trace the intricacies of Robert Longo's studio's alternative family tree. It reconstructs the history of professional and personal ties between artists who met in his studio, found common ground and eventually formed a unique artistic community
Viktoria Dushkina, curator
The Common Ground Project is a group exhibition about the artistic infrastructure that has developed in New York over the past several decades and the role of the artist's assistant - a figure who returned to art in the 1960s.
In the last ten years, artist’s assistants have once again found their special place in the world of contemporary art; in some studios up to fifty people can be found working at a time. The Common Ground exhibition unites the works of twenty-five emerging New York artists who, over the last fifteen years, have worked in the studio of Robert Longo— the renown American artist and sculptor. It is Longo’s creative career that serves as the historic framework of the project.
Featuring over forty pieces which demonstrate a variety of techniques and styles – from works on paper, painting and photography to sculptures and sound installations – the exhibition will introduce the Russian public to a new generation of American artists. While establishing the "common ground" between these artists from having worked in Longo’s studio, the exhibition is a true display of individuality with each artist revealing a style that is distinctly their own.
The artists include: Paolo Arao, Jason Bartell, Alexander Barton, Alexandra Baye, Edwin Bethea, Corey Bond, Sarah Brenneman, Kirsten Deirup, Brock Enright, Julio Cesar Gonzalez, Kelsey Henderson, Kipton Hinsdale, Colin Hunt, Garrick Imatani, William Latta, Robert Longo, Viktor Longo, Owen McAuley, Ivanny Pagan, Brian Rattiner, Bernice Rubin, Susan Sabiston, Eric Schnell, Miles Shelton, James Sheppard, Nathan Spondike.