the inside spot for art buzz & events

A Look at Adrian Paci

Centro di Permanenza Temporanea

Smith-Stewart

53 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002

November 10, 2007 - December 22, 2007

The consequences of displacement and relocation have long been the predominant focus of Adrian Paci’s work, since his move from Albania to Italy in the wake of the civil war. The title of the single-channel video on view at Smith Stewart Gallery – Centro di Permanenza Temporanea (Center of Temporary Permanence) – immediately positions it within this context in referencing the Italian detainment facilities of illegal immigrants.

The video commences with the image of a vacant mobile staircase situated in close proximity to an active airport runway. As time elapses, numerous men and women slowly ascend the stairway until it is fully occupied. Yet when the camera pulls away from their mute faces, it becomes readily apparent that the staircase is entirely isolated—leaving them lingering between ground and air, with no place to advance. Viewed within a larger social context, this video presents a straightforward and affecting demonstration of the immigrant’s trials in our increasingly mobile global makeup.

- Yaelle Amir

(*Images, from top to bottom: Adrian Paci, Centro di Permanenza Temporanea, November 10 - December 22, 2007; Smith-Stewart, Centro di Permanenza Temporanea, 2007, Video still, Courtesy of Smith-Stewart, New York and the artist. Adrian Paci, Centro di Permanenza Temporanea, November 10 - December 22, 2007; Smith-Stewart, Centro di Permanenza Temporanea, 2007, Video still, Courtesy of Smith-Stewart, New York and the artist. Adrian Paci, Centro di Permanenza Temporanea, November 10 - December 22, 2007; Smith-Stewart, Centro di Permanenza Temporanea, 2007, Video still, Courtesy of Smith-Stewart, New York and the artist. Adrian Paci, Centro di Permanenza Temporanea, November 10 - December 22, 2007; Smith-Stewart, Centro di Permanenza Temporanea, 2007, Video still, Courtesy of Smith-Stewart, New York and the artist.)

Posted by Yaelle Amir on 1/05

comments
add comment

QUICK LINKS