Shoot the Lobster is a new project space at Martos Gallery with intricate straying that has included work by Chris Martin, Joshua Smith, Ryan Foerster, Bill Saylor and Aidas Bareikas, among others. The programming will continue to present inventive possibilities, temporarily settling in remote spaces, including a Midwestern basement, an empty parking lot, a restaurant and a pharmacy. The existence of these satellite settings may sprawl long-term or dissipate within a day, and the intention is pluralistic. Curator and project collaborator, Mary Grace Wright, provides some insights:
Image courtesy of Shoot the Lobster.
What was it like starting Shoot the Lobster and how did you name it?
The name comes from the Clash song "The Magnificent Seven." One of the artists we frequently work with suggested it. Starting Shoot The Lobster was extremely exciting and liberating for all of us at Martos Gallery. We had been toying with the idea for quite a while, and then decided to go for it. It is still in the experimental phase, which is the beauty of the project. No one knows what it will eventually turn in to.
Bill Saylor and Aidas Bareikas' show, as well as some others, includes collaborative works of art that blur individualized distinctions and present collective outcomes. Is this type of programming something that will continue?
Yes, this is exactly the kind of work we are trying to exhibit more of. Essentially we are trying to provide a space that is more artist-friendly. We want to give artists the opportunity to show works that others have not. Collaborative work can be difficult to show, but it is an integral part of many artists' practices.
Can you tell me about the off-site curatorial projects, such as the parking lot show in Miami and the work in Brighton Beach? Do you have future plans to continue experimenting with outdoor spaces?
For the empty lot show in Miami we wanted to give Ryan Foerster a chance to create as he pleased with no white-wall restrictions. There were obvious hindrances working in a completely open lot with no security present, which helps push it further from the gallery setting.
Similarly with Brighton Beach, it is a chance to recontextualize the work. Besides, it served as a great excuse to head to the beach for the day.
Can you tell us about your plans for upcoming shows?
Future plans include:
Miami: We will rotate artists every two months -- upcoming is Davina Semo.
Iowa City: I'm organizing an exhibition in a grad student's basement with artists who have previously studied or currently teach there -- Jess Fuller, Ann Pibal, Hamlett Dobbins, Douglas Degges, John Dilg, David Dunlap, and the list continues.
St Barth's: Nathalie Karg and Servane Mary are working on a project inside of a restaurant.
Woodstock: We are developing a space that will host outdoor artist projects for an entire year.
Klagenfurt: Justin Lieberman at a pharmacy.
For NYC: We plan to incorporate some other gallerists, Anton Kern, Gavin Brown and up and coming Nudashank, from Baltimore.
Correction: In an earlier version of this article, we listed Chris Martin's first name as "Christ" in the first paragraph. Unfortunately, he is not the second coming. We apologize for the error.