This exhibition delves into the complex theme of identity in contemporary art, showcasing how artists explore self-perception, projection, and the influence of social and personal transformations. It features a broad range of works that question and reflect on what it means to be oneself in relation to the world.
The exhibition 'Undeniably Me' critically examines the intricate concept of identity as represented in contemporary art. It explores how artists grapple with self-perception, self-expression, and their relationship to the surrounding world through a diverse array of works. The exhibition's open structure creates a network of connections, inviting new interpretations of both the artworks and the overarching theme of identity.
The core of the exhibition is built around the concept developed by curators Julie Wallner and Holger Broeker for Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, significantly extended for its Prague iteration with substantial works from European public and private collections. The theme of 'Me' is presented on various levels, from Christian Boltansky's iconic installation 'Menschlich', a poignant memorial of disappeared individuals, to Fiona Tan's video 'Memory Lapse', which movingly addresses the loss of self due to Alzheimer's disease. The selected artists explore identity through self-projection in cinematic roles (Cindy Sherman), ironic commentary on racial issues (Bruce Nauman), sensitive portraits of adolescent transformation (Rineke Dijkstra), identity shaped by social groups (Richard Bellingham), gender issues (Marlene Dumas), double portraits (Jiří David), the loss of identity under political regimes and the dehumanization of work (Andreas Gursky), fictitious portraits (Thomas Ruff), and culminate with Gerhard Richter's '48 Portraits'. The exhibition also includes works by Gary Hill, Viktor Pivovarov, and Robert Longo, all contributing to a comprehensive exploration of identity's multifaceted nature.