Iván Argote (COL): Hangover & Extasy

Location: MQ Forecourt

The artist’s exploration of symbols of power and masculine domination culminates in this monument located next to the main entrance to the  MuseumsQuartier.

In Ancient Egypt an obelisk was regarded as a ray of light  petrified by the solar deity Ra. Light is subject to gravity, it can be curved, and fossilized here, in the melting obelisk. Deprived of its verticality and power, the obelisk ends up lying on the ground, reverently bowing towards the statue of Empress Maria Theresa on the square across the road.

Courtesy of the artist and D+T Project Gallery, Brussels and Galerie Perrotin, Paris

Iván Argote (Columbia, 1983)
Lives and works in Paris, France.
Education: MFA, École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris
- ENSBA, Paris, 2008; Specialization in new medias, Cinema and TV
School, National University, Bogotá, 2005; Specialization in photography,
Graphic Design School, Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Bogotá, 2005; Graphic design, Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Bogotá, 2004.
Solo exhibitions include: Reddish Blue, DT Project, Brussels, Belgium,
2014; Let’s write a history of hopes, Galeria Vermelho, Sao Paulo,
Brazil, 2014; Strengthlessness, Galerie Perrotin, Paris, France, 2014;
La Estrategia, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France, 2013; Un millon de amigos,
Galeria ADN, Barcelona, Spain, 2013; Sin heroísmos, por favor,
CA2M, Madrid, Spain, 2012.
Group exhibitions include: Tectonic, Moving Museum, Dubai, UAE,
2013; Los irrespetuosos, Museo Carrilo Gil, Mexico DF, Mexico, 2013;
the 30th Sao Paulo Biennial, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2012; Girarse, Joan
Miró Fundation, Barcelona, Spain, 2012.

Photo: Suchart Wannaset