LONGITUDES

Longitudes cuts across Latitudes’ projects and research with news, updates, and reportage.

Max Andrews’ review of Gabriel Chaile's exhibition at Tabakalera in Donostia

Exhibition review on frieze.com

Max Andrews’ review of Gabriel Chaile's exhibition “Contemplando es como fuimos cambiando” at Tabakalera in San Sebastian/Donostia, goes live on the frieze website.

“‘Contemplating Is How We Have Been Changing’, Tabakalera’s survey of Argentine artist Gabriel Chaile, deftly shows his ability to transform humble materials into vessels of ancestral knowledge and familial intimacy. The exhibition includes several of Chaile’s characteristic anthropomorphic and zoomorphic adobe sculptures, yet it also features a selection of impressive earlier works, and hints at new forays into film narrative and mythmaking.” Continue reading


All photos: Exhibition view of “Gabriel Chaile: Contemplating Is How We Have Been Changing” at Tabakalera, San Sebastián/Donostia, 25 October 2024–2 February 2025.












RELATED CONTENT
:

  • Other writing on Latitudes’ website.
  • Reviews, opinions, profiles and interviews published in frieze magazine.
  • Cover Story, January 2025: Folded Forms, 1 January 2025
  • Cover Story, December 2024: On the (Critical, Contextual) Rocks, 1 December 2024 
  • Cover Story, November 2024: Max Andrews on Robert Smithson’s text “Aerial Art” (1969), 1 Nov 2024
  • Max Andrews shares Manifesta 15 highlights in frieze, 17 September 2024
  • Max Andrews reviews Rosa Tharrats's exhibition “Residua” at Bombon Projects for Artforum, 3 Jun 2024
  • Marking 20 Years of Max Andrews as a Writer for Frieze Magazine, 4 June 2024
  • Max Andrews reviews Ibon Aranberri’s exhibition “Entresaka” at ARTIUM Museoa for frieze, 23 May 2024

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SAVE THE DATE: 1 February 2025 opening of Jorge Satorre’s exhibition “Ria” at the Museo Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo, Móstoles (Madrid)

Jorge Satorre, ”Arruinar las baldosas II" (2016), in the exhibition “Zigzag Incisions” (2017) at CRAC Alsace, Altkirch. Courtesy of the artist and LABOR, Mexico City. Photo: Aurélien Mole.

SAVE THE DATE
Opening: 1 February 2025, 12pm

Jorge Satorre 
Ria
1 February–25 May 2025

Latitudes is pleased to announce “Ria,” the first institutional solo exhibition in Spain by Mexican-born, Bilbao-based artist Jorge Satorre. The exhibition will open on Saturday, 1 February 2025, at noon at the Museo Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo in Móstoles, Madrid. It will feature a newly commissioned work and a survey of sculptures, drawings, and installations produced since 2013, and will be on view until 25 May 2025.

“Río” [River], the artist’s first monograph, will be released alongside the exhibition, featuring new essays by Daniel Garza Usabiaga (Director, Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City) and Sean Lynch (artist, Askeaton, Ireland) alongside a conversation between the artist and Latitudes, the exhibition’s curators. This bilingual Spanish-English edition covers Satorre’s works and exhibitions from the last fifteen years, arranged in reverse chronological order. The book is designed by the artist and publisher Gabriel Pericàs in collaboration with Satorre and copublished by Museo CA2M y Caniche Editorial

The exhibition will be held on the museum's second floor, and run concurrently with exhibitions dedicated to María Medem and from March 1, 2025, to Rodríguez-Méndez (curated by Ángel Calvo Ulloa), and David Bestué. It will also coincide with several events programmed in Madrid surrounding the 44th edition of the ARCOmadrid art fair (5–9 March 2025).

The exhibition is organised and produced by the Museo Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo and curated by Latitudes.


Jorge Satorre, Detail of “Decorar el agujero (Altkirch)” in the exhibition “Black Jacket, gray sweatshirt” (2021) at CRAC Alsace, Altkirch. Courtesy of the artist and LABOR, Mexico City. Photo: Aurélien Mole.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jorge Satorre (Mexico City, 1979). Lives in Bilbao. His work has been exhibited in solo shows: “Veste noire, sweat-shirt gris”, CRAC Alsace, Altkirch, France (2021); “Chamarra negra, sudadera gris”, galería CarrerasMugica, Bilbao (2020); “Pancha, the Colorful Bird and the Shining Snake”, REDCAT, Los Angeles (2018); “The Dead Animals”, Museo Tamayo, Mexico City (2017); “Modern Moral Subject, Decorating the Pit”, galería LABOR, Mexico City (2017); “Emic Etic?”, Artspace, Auckland / Enjoy Public Art Gallery, Wellington, New Zelanda (2013); and “The indirect gaze”, Le Grand Café, Saint-Nazaire, France (2010), amongst other.
 
As a curator, he has organised the group show “Café con leche, piña, huevo con jitomate, cebolla y cilantro” presenting works by David Bestué, Susana Solano and Júlia Spinola (galería CarrerasMugica, Bilbao, 2022), the solo show of Alberto Peral “Redonda, Redonda” (Tecla Sala, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, 2021); and collaborated with Erick Beltrán in the multipart project “Modelling Standard” (Galería Joan Prats, Barcelona, 2011; Casa Vecina, Ciudad de México, 2011; FormContent, London, 2010).

Satorre’s work is in the collections of leading art institutions and collections, including the Frac des Pays de la Loire, France; Centre national des arts plastiques (Cnap), France; Wånas, Sweden; Museo Jumex, Mexico; Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC), Mexico; Museo Tamayo, Mexico; Museo Amparo, Puebla, Mexico; Estrellita Brodsky, Nueva York; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid; De Bruijn-Heijn collection, Amsterdam; Museo Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo, Móstoles (Madrid); Mona – Museum of Old and New Art, Tasmania, Australia; and the Davis Museum, Wellesley, United States, amongst others.

He has published “Pelusa” (Biel Books, 2021); “Black Jacket, grey sweatshirt” (CRAC Alsace and ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ, 2021) and “The Dead Animals Book” (Museo Tamayo, 2017). 

Satorre is represented by LABOR (Mexico City) and CarrerasMugica (Bilbao).



ABOUT THE MUSEO CENTRO DE ARTE DOS DE MAYO 

Established in May 2008, the Museo Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo (Museo CA2M) is a contemporary art museum under the auspices of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. CA2M stands as the singular institution in the region solely dedicated to contemporary art, and houses the art collection of the Autonomous Community of Madrid and, since 2014, has also been entrusted with the ARCO Foundation Collection. Since 2024, Museo CA2M has been directed by Tania Pardo.



→ CONTENIDO RELACIONADO

  • Cover Story, November 2022: Jorge Satorre’s Barcelona, 1 Nov 2022
  • Conversación en línea con Jorge Satorre, 22 de septiembre a las 19h UTC, 14 September 2021 
  • Cover Story, September 2021: Erratic behaviour—Latitudes in conversation with Jorge Satorre, 31 August 2021
  • Portscapes project page
  • Portscapes photo documentation
  • Web of the artist about ‘The Erratic. Measuring Compensation
  • Review of the exhibition "What cannot be used is forgotten" in the May issue of frieze, 29 April 2015
  • Publication "Robert Smithson: Art in Continual Movement" (Alauda Publications, 2012) includes an essay by Max Andrews, 28 Mar 2012
  • Lecture by Max Andrews "From Spiral to Spime: Robert Smithson, the ecological and the curatorial", 13 March, 2pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Royal College of Art, London, 12 March 2012
  • Interview with Erick Beltrán & Jorge Satorre published in 'Atlántica' magazine #52, 13 Feb 2012
  • Proyecto producido por Jorge Satorre para 'Portscapes' (2009) expuesto en la exposición colectiva 'Fat Chance to Dream', Maisterravalbuena, Madrid, 29 Mar 2011
  • 2009 Video of the making of Jorge Satorre's project
  • Portscapes news: Jorge Satorre's billboard on the A15 and Paulien Oltheten’s small exhibition at the visitor centre Futureland and surroundings, 2 October 2009 

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Cover Story, January 2025: Folded Forms

   January 2025 cover story on www.lttds.org


NEW
NEW MONTH
NEW MONTHLY COVER STORY

The January 2025 monthly Cover Story “Folded Forms” is now on our homepage: www.lttds.org (after January this story will be archived here).

Reviewed by Max Andrews of Latitudes in the December 2024 issue of Artforum magazine, Karlos Martínez Bordoy’s recent exhibition “Folded Forms” at FormatoComodo in Madrid offered a concise and ingenious exploration of the century-old Murphy bed concept.  → Continue reading

Cover Stories are published monthly on Latitudes’ homepage featuring past, present, or forthcoming projects, research, texts, artworks, exhibitions, films, objects, or field trips related to our curatorial projects and activities.

→ RELATED CONTENTS

  • Archive of Monthly Cover Stories 
  • Cover Story, December 2024: On the (Critical, Contextual) Rocks, 1 December 2024 
  • Cover Story, November 2024: Max Andrews on Robert Smithson’s text “Aerial Art” (1969), 1 Nov 2024
  • Cover Story, October 2024: Nancy Holt “Ventilation System”, 1 Oct 2024
  • Cover Story, September 2024: THE CREST OF A WAVE, 2 Sept 2024
  • Cover Story, July-August 2024: Rosa Tharrats, Curtain Call, 1 July 2024 
  • Cover Story, June 2024: TERENCE GOWER—DIPLOMACY, URBANISM, URANIUM, 3 June 2024
  • Cover Story, May 2024: Richard Serra & Anne Garde—Threats of Paradise, 30 Apr 2024
  • Cover Story, April 2024: In Progress–Iratxe Jaio and Klaas van Gorkum, 2 April 2024
  • Cover Story, March 2024: Dibbets en Palencia, 4 March 2024
  • Cover Story, February 2024: Climate Conscious Travel to ARCOmadrid, 1 February 2024
  • Cover Story, January 2024: Curating Lab 2014–Curatorial Intensive, 2 Jan 2024 
  • Cover Story, December 2023: Ibon Aranberri, Partial View, 2 Dec 2023 
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Cover Story, December 2024: On the (Critical, Contextual) Rocks

December 2024 cover story on www.lttds.org

NEW
NEW MONTH
NEW MONTHLY COVER STORY

The December 2024 monthly Cover Story “On the (Critical, Contextual) Rocks” is now on Latitudes’ homepage.

“Last month, Latitudes facilitated three sessions for the new Master’s Degree in Critical Contextual Design at Elisava, directed by Cristina Goberna Pesudo. These sessions were part of a class titled “Environments: What Extraction? What Nature?” conceived by artist Lara Almarcegui, a long-time collaborator and friend.” Continue reading here (after Dec. 2024 it will be archived here).

Cover Stories are published monthly featuring past, present, or forthcoming projects, research, texts, artworks, exhibitions, films, objects, or field trips related to Latitudes’ curatorial projects and activities.

→ RELATED CONTENT

  • Archive of writing (essays, exhibition reviews, features, artist profiles...) 
  • Cover Story, November 2024: Max Andrews on Robert Smithson’s text “Aerial Art” (1969), 1 Nov 2024
  • Cover Story, October 2024: Nancy Holt “Ventilation System”, 1 Oct 2024
  • Cover Story, September 2024: THE CREST OF A WAVE, 2 Sept 2024
  • Cover Story, July-August 2024: Rosa Tharrats, Curtain Call, 1 July 2024
  • Cover Story, June 2024: TERENCE GOWER—DIPLOMACY, URBANISM, URANIUM, 3 June 2024
  • Cover Story, May 2024: Richard Serra & Anne Garde—Threats of Paradise, 30 Apr 2024
  • Cover Story, April 2024: In Progress–Iratxe Jaio and Klaas van Gorkum, 2 April 2024
  • Cover Story, March 2024: Dibbets en Palencia, 4 March 2024
  • Cover Story, February 2024: Climate Conscious Travel to ARCOmadrid, 1 February 2024
  • Cover Story, January 2024: Curating Lab 2014–Curatorial Intensive, 2 Jan 2024 
  • Cover Story, December 2023: Ibon Aranberri, Partial View, 2 Dec 2023

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Cover Story, November 2024: Max Andrews on Robert Smithson’s text “Aerial Art” (1969)

November 2024 cover story on www.lttds.org


NEW MONTH
NEW MONTHLY COVER STORY

The November 2024 monthly Cover Story “Frequent Flyers: Robert Smithson’s ‘Aerial Art,’ 1969” is now up on Latitudes’ homepage (after November 2024 it will be archived here). Cover Stories are published monthly featuring past, present, or forthcoming projects, research, texts, artworks, exhibitions, films, objects, or field trips related to Latitudes’ curatorial projects and activities.

Max Andrews was commissioned to contribute an essay on a work by Robert Smithson (1938–1973) for the Holt/Smithson Foundation’s Scholarly Text Program

→Read here

Max chose to write on Smithson’s text “Aerial Art” published in Studio International in February 1969. In the essay, Smithson presented proposals developed for Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport in 1966–67, in collaboration with Tippetts—Abbett—McCarthy—Stratton Architects and Engineers. His proposals envisioned extensive earthworks to be installed between the runways, created by himself, Carl Andre, Robert Morris, and Sol LeWitt.


Bound reproductions of slides accompanying early terminal planning concepts for the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport, presented by airlines to top management in December 1966 and January 1967. 
The first phase of the runway layout and master plan slide reproductions have been annotated with notes and drawings regarding earthworks by Robert Smithson. Robert Smithson and Nancy Holt papers, 1905-1987. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

The Scholarly Text Program regularly commissions thinkers from various disciplines to write 1,200 words on single artworks by Nancy Holt and/or Robert Smithson. These essays explore how Holt and Smithson’s ideas resonate through contemporary artistic and cultural production, covering topics ranging from geology to ecology, poetry, and beyond.

Read Mariana Cánepa Luna’s recently published essay on Nancy Holt’s site-responsive installation “Ventilation System” (1985–1992) also part of the Scholarly Text Programme’s Chapter 7.

Thank you to Lisa Le Feuvre, Executive Director of the Holt/Smithson Foundation, for the kind invitation to contribute to the foundation’s growing archive, and to William T. Carson, Program Manager and Assistant Curator, for the research assistance


Abstract

Max Andrews’ essay delves into Robert Smithson's seminal article "Aerial Art" (1969), which outlines his earthworks proposals for the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport and those of Carl Andre, Robert Morris, and Sol LeWitt. Andrews examines the historical context, including the growth of air travel and global art networks. Importantly, the essay underscores the sustained multi-decade increase in CO2 emissions from air travel and its significant contribution to the climate crisis.

Keywords

Robert Smithson, Aerial Art, 1969, Studio International, Artforum, Anthropocene, Charles Jencks, postmodernism, Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport, Tippetts–Abbett–McCarthy–Stratton, earthworks, Carl Andre, Robert Morris, and Sol LeWitt, site-specificity, Boing 747, Spiral Jetty, CO2 emissions, frequent flying, transnational art world, contemporary art, decarbonization, exhibition-making, curatorial hypermobility, Harald Szeemann, air travel, global mobility, low-carbon footprint art production, multinational museum brands, biennial model, Fernand Braudel, Gustav Metzger, Reduce Art Flights, Paris Agreement, 2030, global warming. 

How to cite:

Andrews, Max, “Frequent Flyers: Robert Smithson’s “Aerial Art,” 1969”, Holt/Smithson Foundation: Scholarly Texts Chapter 7 (October 2024). ISBN: 978-1-952603-36-5


→ RELATED CONTENT

  • Other writing 
  • Looking back – Visiting Robert Smithson's “Spiral Jetty” (1970) on 7 September 2004, 7 Sep 2014
  • Publication “Robert Smithson: Art in Continual Movement” (Alauda Publications, 2012) includes an essay by Max Andrews, 28 Mar 2012
  • Lecture by Max Andrews "From Spiral to Spime: Robert Smithson, the ecological and the curatorial", 13 March, 2pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Royal College of Art, London, 12 March 2012
  • Robert Smithson's “Broken Circle/Spiral Hill Revisited” (1971–2011) and The Land Art Contemporary programme, 14 September 2011
  • Archive of Monthly Cover Stories
  • Cover Story, October 2024: Nancy Holt “Ventilation System”, 1 Oct 2024
  • Cover Story, September 2024: THE CREST OF A WAVE, 2 Sept 2024
  • Cover Story, July-August 2024: Rosa Tharrats, Curtain Call, 1 July 2024
  • Cover Story, June 2024: TERENCE GOWER—DIPLOMACY, URBANISM, URANIUM, 3 June 2024
  • Cover Story, May 2024: Richard Serra & Anne Garde—Threats of Paradise, 30 Apr 2024 
  • Cover Story, April 2024: In Progress–Iratxe Jaio and Klaas van Gorkum, 2 April 2024
  • Cover Story, March 2024: Dibbets en Palencia, 4 March 2024
  • Cover Story, February 2024: Climate Conscious Travel to ARCOmadrid, 1 February 2024
  • Cover Story, January 2024: Curating Lab 2014–Curatorial Intensive, 2 Jan 2024 
  • Cover Story, December 2023: Ibon Aranberri, Partial View, 2 Dec 2023 
  • Cover Story, November 2023: Surucuá, Teque-teque, Arara: Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, 2 Nov 2023

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Rasmus Nilausen’s “Theatre of Doubts’ in Palma

(Above and below) Rasmus Nilausen, “The Theatre of Doubts” (2021). Installation view in “Especies de espacios. Una reflexión colectiva sobre qué pensar de este mundo” at Galería Pelaires in Palma, Mallorca. Photos: David Bonet. Courtesy of the artist.



Danish-born, Barcelona-based artist Rasmus Nilausen is presenting, until November 22, 2024, a version of his installation “The Theatre of Doubts” (2021) in the group show “Especies de espacios. Una reflexión colectiva sobre qué pensar de este mundo” at Galería Pelaires in Palma, Mallorca. 


(Above and below) Rasmus Nilausen, “The Theatre of Doubts” (2021). Installation view in “Especies de espacios. Una reflexión colectiva sobre qué pensar de este mundo” at Galería Pelaires in Palma, Mallorca. Photos: David Bonet. Courtesy of the artist.




For Galería PelairesNilausen selected a range of works from the original seven rows that composed the installation. The original version consisted of 49 paintings of varied sizes produced between 2014 and 2021, presented on wooden easels with a peculiarity that became one of the show's most beloved features: their cartoon-like feet. The installation filled the entire circular room of the Meier building.

The work was originally commissioned for MACBA Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona’s inaugural triennial “Panorama” titled “Notes for an Eye Fire” (October 2021–February 2022), curated by Hiuwai Chu (MACBA’s Head of Exhibitions) and Latitudes.

 (Above and below) Rasmus during the installation of “Theatre of Doubts” at MACBA; Installing the larger paintings at MACBA. Photos: Latitudes.


(Above and below) Rasmus Nilausen, “The Theatre of Doubts” (2021). Installation view in “Panorama. Notes for an Eye Fire”, MACBA Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, October 2021–February 2022. Courtesy of the artist. Photos: Roberto Ruiz. 







Exhibition wall text in “Panorama 21. Notes for an Eye Fire”:

Rasmus Nilausen’s installation of paintings is a homage to philosopher Giulio Camillo’s sublime and ridiculous attempt to explain the entire universe and allow all its relations and meanings to be beheld at once. Camillo built his “Theatre of Memory” in Venice in around 1530. Inverting the perspective of classical theatre, a single spectator could stand on a central “stage” to look out at an auditorium of seven rows of seven pictures. An occult matrix of divine, celestial, and terrestrial knowledge, this mystical rhetorical device enabled the entirety of existence and its workings to be called to mind and read off. Evidently flawed and over-ambitious, Nilausen’s liberal revival of the memory theatre format draws on 49 works from his own painterly and allegorical universe. Visitors are invited to wander among images that seem to be going for a walk, adopt multiple viewpoints, see unfamiliar connections, and summon new memories. The first row takes on the seven planetary deities of Camillo’s Renaissance design: Diana (the Moon), Mercury, Venus, the Sun (represented by a banquet), Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

Produced by MACBA Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona with the support of the Danish Arts Foundation.

More about the work, here (pdf).

Giulio Camillo was a sixteenth-century Italian philosopher, most notable for conceiving “Theatre of Memory”.


Nilausen is also exhibiting “Fixed Ideas,” a solo show at EtHall Gallery in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, presenting new and recent works. The show will be on view until November 7, 2024. 

Rasmus Nilausen “Fixed Ideas” at EtHall Gallery in Barcelona. Photos: Latitudes.




RELATED CONTENT:


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Cover Story, October 2024: Nancy Holt “Ventilation System”

October 2024 cover story on www.lttds.org


NEW
NEW MONTH 
NEW MONTHLY COVER STORY

The October 2024 monthly Cover Story “Nancy Holt “Ventilation System” is now up on Latitudes’ homepage (after October 2024 it will be archived here). Cover Stories are published monthly featuring past, present, or forthcoming projects, research, texts, artworks, exhibitions, films, objects, or field trips related to Latitudes’ curatorial projects and activities.

Mariana Cánepa Luna of Latitudes was commissioned to write an essay on a work by American artist Nancy Holt  (1938–2014) for the Holt/Smithson Foundation’s Scholarly Text Program.

→ Read it here.

Mariana focused on Holt’s “Ventilation System” (1985–1992), a site-responsive installation that celebrates air-conditioning infrastructures and draws attention to their ubiquitous, though often overlooked, presence in modern life. While such building components are typically concealed, Holt’s work ostentatiously showcases industrial ducts and fans, blending functionality with wry playfulness. This installation, part of her “System Works”, critiques humanity's dependency on technological infrastructures and subtly raises ecological concerns around energy use. It reflects Holt’s interest in connecting human experience to larger natural systems, akin to her most famous work, “Sun Tunnels” (1973–1976).

Graphics courtesy Holt/Smithson Foundation.



In today's context, “Ventilation System” resonates with a heightened sustainability awareness. Recent artworks, like Nick Raffel’s “fan (Wesleyan)” (2022) and “wind dial (Pied-à-Terre)” (2021), further explore air circulation in buildings, emphasizing efficiency and environmental literacy. Ghislaine Leung’s “Violets 2” (2018) explores related themes, using repurposed ventilation pipes to reflect on institutional conditions and artistic labour. 

[1 and 2] Nancy Holt, “Ventilation IV: Hampton Air”, 1992. Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton, New York. Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton, New York. Steel ducts, fans, turbine ventilators, shanty caps. Indoor section: 4.9 x 5.5 x 8.5 m. Outdoor section: 4.8 x 6.1 x 8.2 m. © Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York. [2] Ghislaine Leung, “Violets 2”, 2018. Galvanised Steel Ventilation System, Brackets, Screws, Bolts, Dirt, Welcome Sign. Ventilation System removed from Network Aalst Bar during 2017 refurbishment. Commissioned by Network Aalst, Belgium. Score: All pipes removed for refurbishment reinstalled within the space of one room and bracketed fixed to the floor, using as much of the material as possible while keeping it all interconnected. Spare pieces that do not fit in this configuration are to be bracketed together in smaller formations. A welcome sign to be installed. Courtesy of the artist and Maxwell Graham, New York. [3] Nick Raffel, “Pied-à-terre”, San Francisco, 2022. Photo: McIntyre Parker. Courtesy of the artist.

Throughout her career, Holt presented four iterations of “Ventilation System”: at Temple Gallery, Philadelphia; and Palladium, New York (both in 1985); at the Tampere Art Museum, Finland; and at the Guild Hall Museum in East Hampton, New York (both in 1992). Posthumously, the installation has been presented on three occasions: at Bildmuseet, Umeå, Sweden; Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Australia (both in 2022); and most recently at MACBA Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Spain (2023).

[Above and below] Nancy Holt, “Ventilation System” (1985-92). Installation view: Bildmuseet, Umeå, Sweden, 2022. Steel ducts, turbine ventilators, shanty caps, fans, air [materials are locally sourced with each presentation]. Overall dimensions variable [site responsive]. Photograph: Mikael Lundgren. Image Courtesy Holt/Smithson Foundation and Bildmuseet. © Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York


The Scholarly Text Program regularly commissions thinkers from various disciplines to write 1,200 words on single artworks by Nancy Holt and/or Robert Smithson. The authors explore how Holt and Smithson’s ideas resonate through artistic and cultural production in the present, exploring topics ranging from geology to ecology, poetry, architecture, science fiction, public art, sculpture, drawing, film, exhibition histories or philosophy. The Scholarly Text Program will publish two essays on each work, presenting differing opinions and approaches. Each new essay includes images selected by the author, a short bibliography, citation references, endnotes pointing to the author’s references and an ISBN. 

Stay tuned for Max Andrews’ upcoming contribution on Smithson’s article “Aerial Art” (1969) next month.

Thank you to Lisa Le Feuvre, Executive Director of the Holt/Smithson Foundation, for the kind invitation to contribute to the foundation’s growing Scholarly Texts Program archive and to William T. Carson, Program Manager and Assistant Curator, for the research assistance. Extended gratitude to Chicago-based artist Nick Raffel for the insightful online studio visit and to Maxwell Graham Gallery, New York.


Abstract
Nancy Holt’s “Ventilation System” (1985-92) is a site-specific installation that exposes the hidden infrastructure of air circulation in buildings. Holt celebrates and critiques human dependence on technology by using industrial-grade ducts and HVAC systems. The essay discusses the relationship between “Ventilation System” and environmental concerns. It highlights the tension between functionality and artistic playfulness, and how the work raises awareness of our reliance on energy-intensive systems. Finally, the essay connects Holt’s artistic intervention to current debates about sustainability in art, particularly regarding museum energy consumption.

Keywords:
Nancy Holt, ventilation systems, Site-specificity, HVAC systems, sustainability, ecological concerns, System Works, Land art, Conceptual art, Charlotte Posenenske, Post-pandemic world, climate change, Institutional critique, building efficiency, sustainability, air quality, Nick Raffel, Karen Archey, Third wave of Institutional Critique, HVLS fans, Ghislaine Leung, artistic labour, climate crisis, “Constitutional critique”, context-contingent art.   

How to cite
Cánepa Luna, Mariana, “Nancy Holt’s “Ventilation System” (1985–1992).” Holt/Smithson Foundation: Scholarly Texts Chapter 7 (October 2024). ISBN: 978-1-952603-35-8 


→ RELATED CONTENTS

  • Archive of Monthly Cover Stories 
  • Other writing by Mariana Cánepa Luna
  • Looking back – Visiting Robert Smithson's “Spiral Jetty” (1970) on 7 September 2004, 7 Sep 2014
  • Publication “Robert Smithson: Art in Continual Movement” (Alauda Publications, 2012) includes an essay by Max Andrews, 28 Mar 2012
  • Cover Story–September 2024: Cover Story, September 2024: THE CREST OF A WAVE, 2 Sept 2024
  • Cover Story–July-August 2024: Rosa Tharrats, Curtain Call, 1 July 2024 
  • Cover Story, June 2024: TERENCE GOWER—DIPLOMACY, URBANISM, URANIUM, 3 June 2024
  • Cover Story, May 2024: Richard Serra & Anne Garde—Threats of Paradise, 30 Apr 2024 
  • Cover Story, April 2024: In Progress–Iratxe Jaio and Klaas van Gorkum, 2 April 2024
  • Cover Story, March 2024: Dibbets en Palencia, 4 March 2024
  • Cover Story, February 2024: Climate Conscious Travel to ARCOmadrid, 1 February 2024
  • Cover Story, January 2024: Curating Lab 2014–Curatorial Intensive, 2 Jan 2024 
  • Cover Story, December 2023: Ibon Aranberri, Partial View, 2 Dec 2023 
  • Cover Story, November 2023: Surucuá, Teque-teque, Arara: Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, 2 Nov 2023
  • Cover Story, October 2023: A tree felled, a tree cut in seven, 2 October 2023

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Max Andrews’ Manifesta 15 highlights in frieze

The Three Chimneys in Sant Adrià del Besòs. Photo © Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana / Arnau Rovira.

Max Andrews from Latitudes (a frieze Contributing Writer) and Angel Lambo (Associate Editor of frieze) shared six highlights of Manifesta 15 for frieze.com 

The 2024 edition of the roving biennial spans 12 cities in and around the Barcelona Metropolitan area, making it one of the most ambitious in scale and reach. However, while its extensive geographical footprint is impressive, questions remain about whether the quality of the exhibitions lives up to its ambitious scope. A hotly debated topic during the opening days was whether the venues’ varying sizes complemented or engulfed the works on display, as is the example of the Tres Xemeneies (Three Chimneys), the colossal former thermal power station by the Besòs river. With over 90 participants and a wide array of interventions, events, and talks, an additional challenge lies in ensuring a cohesive experience across all locations.

Read more


RELATED CONTENT:

  • Other writing on Latitudes’ website.
  • Reviews, opinions, profiles and interviews published in frieze magazine. 
  • 20th and concluding dispatch of “Incidents (of Travel)” from Barcelona, Spain, 26 Oct 2022
  • Compositions 2015, five city-wide commissions conceived for the first Barcelona Gallery Weekend, various locations, Barcelona, 1–4 October 2015 
  • Compositions 2016, five city-wide commissions conceived for the first Barcelona Gallery Weekend, various locations, Barcelona, 29 September–2 October 2016
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Conclusion of the seven International Volunteer Chapters affiliated to Gallery Climate Coalition



Conclusion of Gallery Climate Coalition’s International Volunteer Chapter Programme

In 2020, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of dedicated arts professionals in London formed Gallery Climate CoalitionThe coalition’s primary targets were to facilitate a reduction of the visual art sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 50% by 2030. The first of GCC’s affiliated volunteer groups was formed soon after in Berlin. Following London and Berlin, groups were established in Italy, Taiwan, Los Angeles, Spain (in late 2022), and New York. 

These seven groups became known as the International Volunteer Chapter (IVC) programme, and each advocated for an environmentally responsible arts sector on their local level, either nationally or by being focused on specific cities. Each was composed of professionals from the arts sector volunteering their time to work collectively to develop localised content and resources in line with GCC’s guidelines. Each hosted events and engaged with their immediate networks on environmental issues within the arts sector. Their teams were self-organised and self-motivated whilst remaining closely aligned with GCC’s core targets and commitments. 

Four years later, and despite the intensive work carried out by the IVCs, the increasing funding needs of this ever-widening network, and the challenging funding landscape facing GCC and arts/non-profit organisations more generally, have led to the difficult decision to bring the IVCs programme to a close as of September 2024. 

The IVC programmes have provided invaluable insights over the past years and fostered a formidable international network of dedicated volunteers. Whilst GCC Spain ceases operations as a GCC International Volunteer Chapter (IVC), the committee members remain affiliated to GCC as members, and will continue to contribute to climate action in a more informal capacity.


GCC Spain’s Chronology

Laura Carro and Lucía Mendoza (Galería Lucía Mendoza), Carolina Grau (Independent Curator), Carmen Huerta (TAC7), María Gracia de Pedro (Badr El Jundi Foundation), Mariana Cánepa Luna and Max Andrews (Latitudes) and Nicky Ure (UreCulture) met online for the first time in December 2022. This group ended up founding the International Volunteer Chapter, GCC SpainFurther along, the Committee expanded to include Angela Costantino and Simone Sentall (Fundación TBA21), Miriam Torres and Paula Ráez (Estudio Jurídico Gabeiras & Asociados) and volunteers such as Miriam Callejo.

GCC Spain’s first physical meeting was at ARCOmadrid in February 2023, when it convened an open session at the art fair to inform professionals about GCC’s targets and commitments, advise on practical issues about enrolment in its membership programme, and use helpful tools and resources such as the Carbon Calculator

Meeting at ARCOmadrid in February 2023. Photo: Max Andrews

One of GCC Spain's first achievements was translating GCC’s 11-part Best Practice Actions into Spanish (Acciones Efectivas) and opening its Instagram account.

In June 2023, GCC Spain held its first online Introductory Event (pdf of the press release in Spanish here), presenting GCC’s overall aim and officially launching GCC Spain. The launch was featured in Revista Bonart.

June 2023: Online Introductory Event (press release here

In January 2024 GCC Spain had its first online Assembly to inform members and non-members about the past and future plans of the group.


In February 2024, in collaboration with GCC London and ARCOmadrid, a campaign for #ClimateConsciousTravel was launched through multiple displays at ARCOMadrid, encouraging visitors to take the #TrainToARCOMadrid instead of flying. Additionally, the Gallery Climate Coalition was featured in Exibart magazine, and Carolina Grau, a founding member of GCC Spain, was interviewed about her curatorial work.


Despite these changes, Latitudes remains steadfast in its commitment to GCC’s core activity and commitments. Latitudes remains committed to working with its international community of 1500+ across 50+ countries in reaching a shared goal of 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the visual arts sector by 2030 (compared to a 2019 baseline). This adherence is essential to maintaining our Individual Active Membership.

You can read a statement about the closure of the IVC programme from GCC Managing Director Heath Lowndes hereFor all other communications and enquiries regarding GCC, please contact info@galleryclimatecoalition.org




RELATED CONTENT:

  • Latitudes renew their Active Membership with Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), 9 Apr 2024
  • Gallery Climate Coalition en ARCOmadrid, campaña #TrainToARCOmadrid y artículo en la revista Exibart, 11 March 2024
  • Cover Story, February 2024: Climate Conscious Travel to ARCOmadrid, 1 Feb 2024
  • Montse Badia sobre GCC Spain en la revista Bonart #198, 25 Oct 2023
  • Latitudes qualify as an Active Member of the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), 10 May 2023
  • Latitudes’ (Full) Environmental Policy Statement, 17 April 2023
  • Cover Story, March 2023: Art, Climate, and New Coalitions, 1 Mar 2023
  • Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC) en el Estado español, 25 Jan 2023

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Cover Story, September 2024: THE CREST OF A WAVE

  September 2024 cover story on www.lttds.org


NEW MONTH 
NEW SEASON
NEW MONTHLY COVER STORY

The September 2024 monthly Cover Story “THE CREST OF A WAVE” is now up on Latitudes’ homepage: www.lttds.org (after September 2024 this story will be archived here).

“Sixteen years ago, the start of the new art season was given a sugar rush when 300,000 special sugar sachets mysteriously appeared in over 70 of Barcelona’s beloved bars, cafés, and restaurants. Printed on each of these sachets was a bold typographic statement: “A CLOTH OF COTTON WRAPPED AROUND A HORSESHOE OF IRON TOSSED UPON THE CREST OF A WAVE”, along with a diagrammatic emblem of a throw’s trajectory. → Continue reading 

Cover Stories are published monthly on Latitudes’ homepage featuring past, present, or forthcoming projects, research, texts, artworks, exhibitions, films, objects, or field trips related to our curatorial projects and activities.


→ RELATED CONTENTS

  • Archive of Monthly Cover Stories 
  • Cover Story, July-August 2024: Rosa Tharrats, Curtain Call, 1 July 2024 
  • Cover Story, June 2024: TERENCE GOWER—DIPLOMACY, URBANISM, URANIUM, 3 June 2024
  • Cover Story, May 2024: Richard Serra & Anne Garde—Threats of Paradise, 30 April 2024
  • Cover Story, April 2024: In Progress–Iratxe Jaio and Klaas van Gorkum, 2 April 2024
  • Cover Story, March 2024: Dibbets en Palencia, 4 March 2024
  • Cover Story, February 2024: Climate Conscious Travel to ARCOmadrid, 1 February 2024
  • Cover Story, January 2024: Curating Lab 2014–Curatorial Intensive, 2 Jan 2024 
  • Cover Story, December 2023: Ibon Aranberri, Partial View, 2 Dec 2023 
  • Cover Story, November 2023: Surucuá, Teque-teque, Arara: Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, 2 Nov 2023
  • Cover Story, October 2023: A tree felled, a tree cut in 7, 2 October 2023
  • Cover Story, September 2023: The Pilgrim in Ireland, 6 September 2023
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