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Adam McEwen

Nighthorses

April 26–June 9, 2018
Beverly Hills

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Installation video

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Installation view

Artwork © Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Works Exhibited

Adam McEwen, Korrection, 2015 Graphite, 7 × 7 × 7 inches (17.8 × 17.8 × 17.8 cm), edition of 5 + 2 APs© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Korrection, 2015

Graphite, 7 × 7 × 7 inches (17.8 × 17.8 × 17.8 cm), edition of 5 + 2 APs
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, HOWS MY DRIVING, 2018 Stainless steel, 94 × 83 × 1 ¾ inches (238.8 × 210.8 × 4.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, HOWS MY DRIVING, 2018

Stainless steel, 94 × 83 × 1 ¾ inches (238.8 × 210.8 × 4.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, HOWS MY DRIVING, 2018 (detail) Stainless steel, 94 × 83 × 1 ¾ inches (238.8 × 210.8 × 4.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, HOWS MY DRIVING, 2018 (detail)

Stainless steel, 94 × 83 × 1 ¾ inches (238.8 × 210.8 × 4.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, CLEAN ME, 2018 Brass, 90 × 80 × 2 ½ inches (228.6 × 203.2 × 6.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, CLEAN ME, 2018

Brass, 90 × 80 × 2 ½ inches (228.6 × 203.2 × 6.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, CLEAN ME, 2018 (detail) Brass, 90 × 80 × 2 ½ inches (228.6 × 203.2 × 6.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, CLEAN ME, 2018 (detail)

Brass, 90 × 80 × 2 ½ inches (228.6 × 203.2 × 6.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, GHOST RIDER, 2018 Phosphorescent resin, 92 × 82 × 2 inches (233.7 × 208.3 × 5.1 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, GHOST RIDER, 2018

Phosphorescent resin, 92 × 82 × 2 inches (233.7 × 208.3 × 5.1 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, GHOST RIDER, 2018 (detail) Phosphorescent resin, 92 × 82 × 2 inches (233.7 × 208.3 × 5.1 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, GHOST RIDER, 2018 (detail)

Phosphorescent resin, 92 × 82 × 2 inches (233.7 × 208.3 × 5.1 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Payphone, 2018 Graphite, 26 ⅛ × 20 × 10 ⅛ inches (66.2 × 50.8 × 25.6 cm), edition of 3 + 2 APs© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Payphone, 2018

Graphite, 26 ⅛ × 20 × 10 ⅛ inches (66.2 × 50.8 × 25.6 cm), edition of 3 + 2 APs
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Payphone, 2018 (detail) Graphite, 26 ⅛ × 20 × 10 ⅛ inches (66.2 × 50.8 × 25.6 cm), edition of 3 + 2 APs© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Payphone, 2018 (detail)

Graphite, 26 ⅛ × 20 × 10 ⅛ inches (66.2 × 50.8 × 25.6 cm), edition of 3 + 2 APs
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Payphone, 2018 Graphite, 26 ⅛ × 20 × 10 ⅛ inches (66.2 × 50.8 × 25.6 cm), edition of 3 + 2 APs© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Payphone, 2018

Graphite, 26 ⅛ × 20 × 10 ⅛ inches (66.2 × 50.8 × 25.6 cm), edition of 3 + 2 APs
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, I'M NOT THERE, 2018 Graphite, 92 × 82 × 2 inches (233.7 × 208.3 × 5.1 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, I'M NOT THERE, 2018

Graphite, 92 × 82 × 2 inches (233.7 × 208.3 × 5.1 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, I'M NOT THERE, 2018 (detail) Graphite, 92 × 82 × 2 inches (233.7 × 208.3 × 5.1 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, I'M NOT THERE, 2018 (detail)

Graphite, 92 × 82 × 2 inches (233.7 × 208.3 × 5.1 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Small Bed), 2018 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 37 × 53 ½ × 4 ½ inches (94 × 135.9 × 11.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Small Bed), 2018

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 37 × 53 ½ × 4 ½ inches (94 × 135.9 × 11.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Small Bed), 2018 (detail) Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 37 × 53 ½ × 4 ½ inches (94 × 135.9 × 11.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Small Bed), 2018 (detail)

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 37 × 53 ½ × 4 ½ inches (94 × 135.9 × 11.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Small Bed), 2018 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 37 × 53 ½ × 4 ½ inches (94 × 135.9 × 11.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Small Bed), 2018

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 37 × 53 ½ × 4 ½ inches (94 × 135.9 × 11.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Small Bed), 2018 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 37 × 53 ½ × 4 ½ inches (94 × 135.9 × 11.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Small Bed), 2018

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 37 × 53 ½ × 4 ½ inches (94 × 135.9 × 11.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Ticket Window, 2017 Graphite, 42 ⅛ × 25 × 6 inches (107 × 63.5 × 15.2 cm), edition of 3© Adam McEwen. Photo: Rob McKeever

Adam McEwen, Ticket Window, 2017

Graphite, 42 ⅛ × 25 × 6 inches (107 × 63.5 × 15.2 cm), edition of 3
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Rob McKeever

Adam McEwen, Ticket Window, 2017 Graphite, 42 ⅛ × 25 × 6 inches (107 × 63.5 × 15.2 cm), edition of 3© Adam McEwen. Photo: Rob McKeever

Adam McEwen, Ticket Window, 2017

Graphite, 42 ⅛ × 25 × 6 inches (107 × 63.5 × 15.2 cm), edition of 3
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Rob McKeever

Adam McEwen, TBT (Towel Holder), 2018 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge, graphite, and cotton, 59 ⅞ × 90 × 7 ¼ inches (152.1 × 228.6 × 18.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Towel Holder), 2018

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge, graphite, and cotton, 59 ⅞ × 90 × 7 ¼ inches (152.1 × 228.6 × 18.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Towel Holder), 2018 (detail) Inkjet print on cellulose sponge, graphite, and cotton, 59 ⅞ × 90 × 7 ¼ inches (152.1 × 228.6 × 18.4 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Towel Holder), 2018 (detail)

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge, graphite, and cotton, 59 ⅞ × 90 × 7 ¼ inches (152.1 × 228.6 × 18.4 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Hunter Gets Captured By the Game, 2018 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 59 ⅞ × 90 × 9 ¾ inches (152.1 × 228.6 × 24.8 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Hunter Gets Captured By the Game, 2018

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 59 ⅞ × 90 × 9 ¾ inches (152.1 × 228.6 × 24.8 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Hunter Gets Captured By the Game, 2018 (detail) Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 59 ⅞ × 90 × 9 ¾ inches (152.1 × 228.6 × 24.8 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Hunter Gets Captured By the Game, 2018 (detail)

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 59 ⅞ × 90 × 9 ¾ inches (152.1 × 228.6 × 24.8 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Oar), 2018 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 86 × 65 × 10 ¾ inches (218.4 × 165.1 × 27.3 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Oar), 2018

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 86 × 65 × 10 ¾ inches (218.4 × 165.1 × 27.3 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Oar), 2018 (detail) Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 86 × 65 × 10 ¾ inches (218.4 × 165.1 × 27.3 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Oar), 2018 (detail)

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 86 × 65 × 10 ¾ inches (218.4 × 165.1 × 27.3 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (hula hoop), 2018 Graphite, 37 ½ × 37 ½ × 1 inches (95.3 × 95.3 × 2.5 cm)© Adam McEwen.Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (hula hoop), 2018

Graphite, 37 ½ × 37 ½ × 1 inches (95.3 × 95.3 × 2.5 cm)
© Adam McEwen.
Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Blockhead, 2017 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 86 × 65 × 10 ¾ inches (218.4 × 165.1 × 27.3 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Blockhead, 2017

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 86 × 65 × 10 ¾ inches (218.4 × 165.1 × 27.3 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Blockhead, 2017 (detail) Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 86 × 65 × 10 ¾ inches (218.4 × 165.1 × 27.3 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Blockhead, 2017 (detail)

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 86 × 65 × 10 ¾ inches (218.4 × 165.1 × 27.3 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Voodoo Ray, 2018 Phosphorescent ink on graphite mounted on aluminum with phosphorescent resin, 48 × 44 × 2 inches (121.9 × 111.8 × 5.1 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Voodoo Ray, 2018

Phosphorescent ink on graphite mounted on aluminum with phosphorescent resin, 48 × 44 × 2 inches (121.9 × 111.8 × 5.1 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Voodoo Ray, 2018 (detail) Phosphorescent ink on graphite mounted on aluminum with phosphorescent resin, 48 × 44 × 2 inches (121.9 × 111.8 × 5.1 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Voodoo Ray, 2018 (detail)

Phosphorescent ink on graphite mounted on aluminum with phosphorescent resin, 48 × 44 × 2 inches (121.9 × 111.8 × 5.1 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror, 2018 Phosphorescent resin and graphite, 16 × 95 × 47 ½ inches (40.6 × 241.3 × 120.7 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror, 2018

Phosphorescent resin and graphite, 16 × 95 × 47 ½ inches (40.6 × 241.3 × 120.7 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror, 2018 (detail) Phosphorescent resin with graphite funnel and graphite sphere, 16 × 95 × 47 ½ inches (40.6 × 241.3 × 120.7 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror, 2018 (detail)

Phosphorescent resin with graphite funnel and graphite sphere, 16 × 95 × 47 ½ inches (40.6 × 241.3 × 120.7 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror, 2018 (detail) Phosphorescent resin with graphite funnel and graphite sphere, 16 × 95 × 47 ½ inches (40.6 × 241.3 × 120.7 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror, 2018 (detail)

Phosphorescent resin with graphite funnel and graphite sphere, 16 × 95 × 47 ½ inches (40.6 × 241.3 × 120.7 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Cymbals), 2018 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 76 × 110 × 4 ¼ inches (193 × 279.4 × 10.8 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Cymbals), 2018

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 76 × 110 × 4 ¼ inches (193 × 279.4 × 10.8 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Cymbals), 2018 (detail) Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 76 × 110 × 4 ¼ inches (193 × 279.4 × 10.8 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Cymbals), 2018 (detail)

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 76 × 110 × 4 ¼ inches (193 × 279.4 × 10.8 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Ladder), 2018 Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 76 × 110 × 4 ¼ inches (193 × 279.4 × 10.8 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Ladder), 2018

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 76 × 110 × 4 ¼ inches (193 × 279.4 × 10.8 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Ladder), 2018 (detail) Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 76 × 110 × 4 ¼ inches (193 × 279.4 × 10.8 cm)© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, TBT (Ladder), 2018 (detail)

Inkjet print on cellulose sponge and graphite, 76 × 110 × 4 ¼ inches (193 × 279.4 × 10.8 cm)
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Jeff McLane

Adam McEwen, Down Elevator, 2016 Graphite, 9 ¾ × 5 × ½ inches (24.8 × 12.7 × 1.3 cm), edition of 5 + 2 APs© Adam McEwen. Photo: Rob McKeever

Adam McEwen, Down Elevator, 2016

Graphite, 9 ¾ × 5 × ½ inches (24.8 × 12.7 × 1.3 cm), edition of 5 + 2 APs
© Adam McEwen. Photo: Rob McKeever

About

Ideally, less could indicate more.
—Adam McEwen

Gagosian is pleased to present Nighthorses, new work by Adam McEwen.

As McEwen’s title suggests, anxiety resides even in the most common images and objects. His art draws attention to the vestigial dramas of daily life; the forgotten is memorialized, the subliminal laid bare. Narrative flow is tempting to seek yet impossible to find.

The centerpiece of Nighthorses is a series of narrow, perfectly rectangular frames mounted on the wall. Rendered individually in graphite, brass, steel, and phosphorescent resin, they recall the serial geometries of Minimalism—only that the latchkey positioned inside the base of each frame suggests the back end of a truck, pared down to a schema. In another series, images of rumpled beds are printed onto sheets of vividly colored cellulose sponge and thus transformed into scaleless, undulating landscapes. Paired with life-size graphite objects fixed to the surface—an oar, a ladder, a hand dryer, and a lavatory cistern—they generate a sense of psychological dissonance. Moving on from Andy Warhol’s notorious Disaster series, McEwen’s image of the aftermath of a car crash, printed on yellow cellulose sponge and supporting two smooth graphite drum cymbals, offers a perfect visual tautology.

Through McEwen’s deft game of aesthetic surrogacy, ordinary things are charged with a sense of unspecified malaise. The unique physical characteristics of industrial graphite—light-absorbing, dense, and self-lubricating—are unsettlingly nonnegotiable. A graphite pay phone without a hand receiver sits in a permanent capture of vandalized obsolescence; a graphite Hula-Hoop hangs heavy and inert on a nail; and a plywood sheet cast in phosphorescent urethane is pierced by the mysterious geometries of a graphite funnel, balanced on top of a graphite sphere.