Obstacle
The Invisible Dog Art Center
Brooklyn, New York
May 14, 20116 - July 17, 2011

Curated by Steven and William Ladd

Images Simon Courchel for The Invisible Dog Art Center

Obstacle was our first curatorial project—a wildly ambitious and personal exhibition that brought together over 25 artists to reflect on the idea of “obstacle” in all its forms. Inspired by the field day obstacle courses we loved as kids at Mary Queen of the Universe, we started with the idea of physically building a giant playground. But quickly, the concept evolved: instead of creating a literal obstacle course, we asked artists to explore the idea of obstacles in their work—physical, emotional, spiritual, conceptual.

The result was a dynamic and wide-ranging show at The Invisible Dog Art Center, a place that had become a creative home for us in Brooklyn. The artists responded with works that were varied and powerful—Chris Astley’s stacked concrete forms, Ethan Long’s puzzle-like wooden structures, Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares literally running head-first into barriers, and beautiful paintings, video art, and textile pieces by artists from Hawai‘i, Kansas City, and New York.

Our own contribution was a large three-dimensional tree made from papier-mâché beads. On opening night, we scaled it—bringing the obstacle theme to life in real time. We also collaborated with PS 58, just a few blocks away, where we spent two weeks working with over 400 students to create their own bead-based “ant” artworks, which were included in the show. It was a meaningful way to fold education and youthful voices into the heart of the project.

Group Exhibitions

The exhibition was part of The Invisible Dog’s “PLUS ONE” curation series, and it solidified our desire to create spaces where art, community, memory, and play come together. We were surrounded by people and places we love. It all started with our deep connection to the Invisible Dog—a former belt factory filled with trimmings, barrels, and forgotten objects that sparked our imaginations from the moment we stepped inside. That relationship grew into collaboration and friendship with director Lucien Zayan, who first invited us to create a chandelier from found materials. That invitation led, in part, to this show.

Participating Artists
Chris Astley, Carlton DeWoody, Ethan Long, Steven and William Ladd, Suzanne Sattler, Chris Dunbar, Antonia Wright, Ruben Millares, Wayne Adams, Paul Bloodgood, Sally French, Allyn Bromley, Stephen Freedman, Deborah Nehmad, Evan Ryer, Michael Joaquin Grey, Project Lab @ PS58, Aaron Padilla, John Silvis, Anne Pearce, Andrew Zuckerman, Jennifer Mills, Robin Kang, Ian Trask

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