Coco Fusco
Art Basel, Unlimited
June 13–16, 2019
Messeplatz 10, 4005
Basel, Switzerland
The Gallery’s participation in the Unlimited presentation at Art Basel 2019 further exemplified a dedication to pushing the boundaries of contemporary art both conceptually and physically.
Coco Fusco’s newest sculptural work, Tin Man of the Twenty-First Century, made in collaboration with artist Chico MacMurtrie, parodies grandiose representations of political leaders that adorn public spaces. Fusco’s ten-foot tall depiction of President Donald Trump resembles the Tin Woodman character from the film The Wizard of Oz. While the film character may have been overly sentimental, his behavior can also be interpreted as petulant and self-centered, adding another layer of symbolism to the sculpture.
About Tin Man of the Twenty-First Century, Fusco has stated: “The November 2016 election was a watershed moment for me. I sensed that our country would be changed forever. A very different concept of presidential power was ushered in, one that has affected every aspect of social, political and cultural life in America and the rest of the world.”
Tin Man of the Twenty-First Century was first shown in 2018 in Twilight, Coco Fusco’s solo exhibition at the Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida
About Unlimited
Curated by New York-based curator Gianni Jetzer, Unlimited is Art Basel’s pioneering exhibition platform for projects that transcend the classical art-show stand, including massive sculpture and paintings, video projections, large-scale installations, and live performances.