By Ann Goldstein. Essays by Ann Goldstein, Isabelle Graw, Manfred Hermes, and Bennett Simpson. Published on the occasion of the exhibition Cosima Von Bonin: Roger and Out, on view at MOCA September 16, 2007 – January 7, 2008. Cologne-based artist Cosima von Bonin (b. 1962, Mombasa, Kenya) has, over the last 15 years, worked in a wide range of media—including sculpture, photography, textile “paintings,” installation, performance, film, video, and music—often combined together in large-scale installations. Drawing freely from a broad range of sources—such as the work of other artists, popular and vernacular culture, television, fashion, and Hip-Hop and Techno music—her art explores these different forms of cultural expression in an open, fluid approach that embraces both relationships and contradictions. Von Bonin constructs a community of social relations in her artwork using role-playing, collaboration, appropriation, and the transformation of the commonplace. Her works touch upon ideas of play and indoctrination, structure and improvisation, cultural and gender representations, identity, and self-reflection—with both absurdity and humor. MOCA & Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, 2007 Softcover, 160 pages 11 x 9 inches FINAL SALE
