HOME show @ Kunstfort in Vijfhuizen, The Netherlands
curated by Michelle Provenzano, 2007
Lauren Ewing’s miniature carved stone Bungalow is one of the most common of 67 American house types as classified by Robert Bastian in “Common Houses In America’s Small Towns: The Atlantic Seaboard to the Mississippi Valley”. The handheld souvenir-like sculpture addresses nostalgia as it relates to material culture, the vernacular of collecting and the qualities that distinguish a particular type.
The concept of the HOME show began when I realized that in order to become an artist-in-residence at the Kunstfort Vijfhuizen for two months, I would no longer be able to keep my apartment in New York. I put all of my belongings into storage and intentionally decided to become a traveling nomad, which although exciting, might get lonely. In order to curb the likelihood of loneliness I put together an exhibition that fits snugly inside my suitcase of the works of seven contemporary female American artist friends of mine. The works selected touch on themes of comfort, memory, gift-giving, adventure and nationalism in ways that specifically remind me of home – a place of belonging, understanding and personal attachment. Unpacking HOME is a way of establishing familiarity and comfort for me in my temporary new residence of Holland as well as an opportunity to represent cultural exchange.

Among the seven works included in HOME show are three paintings, two sculptures, a contemporary art historical text and a poem. Artists include: Lisa Dahl, Lauren Ewing, Abby Goodman, Boni Joi, Ronna Lebo, Cindy Stockton Moore, and Midori Yoshimoto.
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