Martine Syms: Boon – A Spatial Installation Exploring Cultural Identity at Secession
This exhibition draws inspiration from Detroit's historic Simpson's Record Shop, examining Black entrepreneurship and community heritage.
Martine Syms' compelling exhibition "Boon" at Secession presents a thought-provoking spatial installation. It features a sculptural intervention, sound art, and a photo collage, all inspired by Detroit's iconic Simpson's Record Shop. Syms delves into critical themes of representation, cultural identity, and self-determination, honoring Black-led businesses and their histories of interdependence. The work pays homage to Dorothy Simpson's dedication and Detroit's rich musical heritage through innovative artistic expressions.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Martine Syms: Boon at Secession in Vienna
Exhibition summary
Martine Syms' exhibition 'Boon' at Secession features a spatial installation inspired by Simpson's Record Shop in Detroit, a hub for the Black community. The work includes a sculptural intervention, sound installation, and photo collage, exploring themes of representation, cultural identity, and self-determination through the lens of Black-led businesses.
Curatorial context
Martine Syms' exhibition 'Boon' delves into the multifaceted representation of Black individuals within popular culture, feminist frameworks, and radical traditions. Syms' practice, which often involves extensive research, examines theoretical models of performative identities and the power of gestures, as well as unquestioned assumptions about gender and racial inequalities.
For the Secession, Syms conceived a spatial installation comprising a sculptural intervention, a sound installation, and a photo collage, all relating to Detroit's Simpson's Record Shop. This work takes Dorothy Simpson's life's work as a starting point, reflecting Syms' interest in Black-led businesses and their histories of interdependence and self-determination. 'Boon', which can be translated as blessing or benefit, is Syms' homage to Simpson's dedication to her record store, which operated from 1966 to 2018 and served as a vital meeting point for the local community. The photo collage features snapshots from the store, interspersed with family photos that highlight its familial character and embeddedness in the local social fabric. The green foam installation is an imaginative, abstracted reconstruction of a store wall, referencing sound insulation in recording studios and rehearsal spaces, thus connecting to music production sites. The sound installation, subtly present, consists of powerful, dynamic solos by Detroit drummer Gayelynn McKinney, which Syms has processed, further enriching the auditory experience and paying tribute to Detroit's rich musical heritage.
Admission and ticket notes
Information regarding tickets and opening hours can be found on the Secession website, with a link provided to the official ticketing portal for booking details. Visitors can check daily opening status on the site.
Martine Syms: Boon key exhibition facts
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Martine Syms: Boon at Secession in Vienna
Venue
Secession
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Apr 12, 2019 – Jun 16, 2019
Artist line / attribution
Martine Syms, born in Los Angeles in 1988, lives and works in Los Angeles.
Vienna
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