Bard College is pleased to announce “Scientifically Correct: Molecular Structures, Arrows and Pathways,” a solo exhibition featuring 56 new works by aerosol artist COCO 144 at Bard’s Gabrielle H. Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation.
The paintings in “Scientifically Correct: Molecular Structures, Arrows and Pathways” are executed with acrylic, aerosol paint, watercolor and inks on paper. Incorporating the visual imagery of the scientific world, COCO interweaves his name with scientific imagery, reinventing his name as an equation in a new context.
COCO 144 is one of the essential painters in New York City’s subway art movement. Coco began to write his name on the streets in late 1969, then was among the first generation of subway writers from 1970-1972, making a significant mark on the Broadway line (No. 1 Train) and becoming one of major writers of Manhattan. While painting in the subway system, he created the first stencil in the writing movement, enabling him to tag his name with great speed. He maintained a unique style and was one of the first writers to channel that energy onto canvas, at a studio workshop in 1972. As early as 1973 he introduced aerosol art into galleries and became one of the most famous aerosol artists worldwide.
The first exhibition of this magnitude at the Gabrielle H.Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation at Bard, the 56 paintings measuring a total 198 linear feet, are the the size of almost three NYC subway cars. COCO continues to reinvent and push the limits of aerosol writing, painting through the lens of a microscope, fusing aerosol writing with the imagery of a scientist.
This exhibition marks the 40th anniversary of Coco 144’s contribution to writing, aerosol culture and street art.
Curated by Fernando Ruíz Lorenzo and Tom Wolf, Professor of Art History.
Opening Reception and Artist’s Talk:
Gabrielle H. Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center Center for Science and Computation, 7p.m.-9p.m.
Center hours: 9:00 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
