Ivin Ballen
Sleepless in Seattle at Winkleman Concert Hall

Oct 30 – Dec 29, 2009
Opening: Thurs., Oct 30, 6-8
Gallery Hours: Tues. – Sat. 11-6 PM
Winkleman Gallery is very pleased to present Sleepless in Seattle at
Winkleman Concert Hall, our second solo exhibition by New York artist
Ivin Ballen. Featuring new paintings and sculpture, including “Stage”
(which will double as an actual performance platform and sound system
for a series of weekly performances by a line-up of emerging New York
area bands), Sleepless in Seattle at Winkleman Concert Hall embodies
nostalgia, performance of the moment, and illusion of material to
create an effect that anticipates the inevitable change to come.

Elaborating on the decision to invite musicians to participate in his
exhibition, and its title, Ballen wrote

Sam Baldwin is mourning the loss of his wife and coming to terms with
the fact that his happiness is dependent on companionship. It is not
an uncommon story. Through tender circumstance, Sam finds his true
second love in Annie Reed. Sleepless in Seattle (1993), with Tom Hanks
and Meg Ryan, focuses on the trials of renewed life.

Although the film’s focus is one of an inevitable romance, a strong
feeling of bereavement hovers over the plot. It is the loss of life
that is spurring the adaptation in Sam’s life. Death leads Annie Reed
to Sam Baldwin through the radio, which is followed by a fairy-tale
chain of events deliberately referencing all but the tragic ending in
An Affair to Remember (1957). It gives heartening prospect to see a
hopeful outcome in Sleepless in Seattle.

Sleepless in Seattle at Winkleman Concert Hall explores inward
feelings and draws on how we cope and adapt to chance in life. The
stage is introduced into this show literally as a place for
performance. Winkleman Gallery is transformed into a makeshift concert
hall and a place of rejuvenation for both art watchers and music
goers.

Life brings unexpected turns and we can be happy to roll with them,
taking old objects and reconfiguring them to continue their use cycle.
I am advocating a lifestyle of adaptation and am bringing that
conversation to the composition of sound and performance.

Musical performances are scheduled throughout the duration of the
show. Opening night Honne Wells will perform at 6:30 PM, followed by
Storms. Other musical artists including, but not limited to: Big Game,
Perfect Wieners and Butts, Pete and J, Scandinavian Half-Breeds, and
Chris Pandolfi (of the Stringdusters) will be performing on dates to
be announced.

For more information, please contact Edward Winkleman at 212.643.3152
or info@winkleman.com