Kiki Josh Kogelnik Kline Fly Me to the Freedom Moon

Free Activity guide for families and schools

22 August – 18 October 2015 Welcome to the Activity Guide to accompany the exhibitions.

Fly Me to the Moon is the first solo exhibition in the UK of acclaimed Austrian artist Kiki Kogelnik (1935-1997). Kogelnik first came to prominence in the mid 1950s in where she showed influenced by the movement.Kogelnik moved to the United States in 1961 where she befriended many famous artists of the New York art scene including , and .

Throughout her career, Koglenik resisted describing her work as ‘pop’ art. She neither felt it to be entirely focused on commercial subject matter or to totally celebrate the capitalist dream and the rise of new technology. The buoyant energy of her early works is offset by the anxiety of the later paintings and .

Her work speaks to our time of radical technological progress and serves as a timely reminder of the dangers of wholeheartedly embracing such change without first reflecting on the potentially destructive effects on the human psyche and body. Fly Me to the Moon, 1963. Oil and acrylic on canvas, 244 x 185cm. Inv#63PT1. Andrew Rinkhy/ Kogelnik Foundation Vienna/ New York

Josh Kline is an American artist who works in a range of media, including , video and installations using 3D prints, animated graphics and gaming software. In his work, Kline delves into the social and political landscape of contemporary American culture, examining its impact on the world at large. Kline is part of an emerging generation of artists working with the visual language and technology of the internet age, his practice is informed by the aesthetic of the 24/7 news cycle, social media feeds and ever-present mobile technology. Can you see images of outer space in Kiki Kogel- nik’s paintings? She was making her artwork during the 1960’s and 1970’s when the first person landed on the moon. Images of outer space, science fiction and fears about the future became cultural themes during these decades.

Kogelnik abstracted images of rockets, plan- ets into colourful blocks, shapes and pattens. She linked them back to our bodies and the tiny atoms that we are all made of. Activity: Fill in the background by copying the shapes and pattens you can see in her paintings. Activity 1: In the Gallery Kogelnik was find a spotlit area and draw Activity 2: interested in feminist round the shadow that is issues, such as how many cast by your hand or women there were in the art another shape on this page. world. She was also concerned Repeat this to fill up the that we are not aware enough of page and join the different the effect of technology on our parts of the . bodies. Find images from magazines that relate to how we think about these themes today and make them into a collage. For example the way woman are used to advertise certain products or the possible effects of genetically modified food. Breaking news... x Josh Kline : Freedom In 2009 President Obama gave a honesty and hard work, courage speech where he promised to and fair play, tolerance and introduce gun control, and curb curiosity, loyalty and patriotism corporate greed, Klines version -- these things are old. These of the speech contrasts with the things are true. They have scary guards in the space. been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. This is a Guy Fawkes Mask often What is demanded, then, is a re- worn by protestors the copyright turn to these truths. What is re- is owned by Time Warner. quired of us now is a new era of thiresponsibility -- a recognition on the parts of everypage American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so de- fining of our character than giving our allh to aA difficult task. Map of Zuccotti Park. Google own this image. This is the price and thes prom- ise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence -- the Zuccotti Park is a privately owned knowledge that God calls on us to park in the centre of New York; it shape an uncertain destiny. This used to be called Liberty Park. is the meaning of our liberty and It was occupied in 2011 for two our creed, why men and women months by peaceful protestors and children of every race and wanting to draw attention to every faith can join in celebrationn economic inequality, local bee across this magnificent mall; and businesses helped them, anti terror President Obama’s speech in 2009. why a man whose father less than police spied on them they even set The American Government 60 years ago might not have been up a library. Eventually police in riot owns this image. served in a local restaurant can gear forced the protestors out. now stand before you to take a Barack Obama’s Speech. most sacred oath. (Applause.) Josh Kline’s work focuses on the So let us mark this day with re- way the media, big business and And yet at this moment, a moment membrance of who we are and the police dealt with the protests. that will define a generation, it is how far we have traveled. In the precisely this spirit that must yearccupied of America’s birth, in inhabit us all. For as much as o the coldest of months, government can do, and must do, it a small band of is ultimately the faith and patriots hud- determination of the Ameri- dled by dying can people upon which this campfires on nation relies. It is the kind- the shores of ness to take in a stranger an icy river. when the levees break, the self- The capital lessness of workers who would was aban- rather cut their hours than see doned. The a friend lose their job which sees enemy was us through our darkest hours. It is advanc- the firefighter’s courage to storm a ing. The stairway filled with smoke, but also snow a parent’s was stained willingness to nurture a child that with blood. finally decides our fate. This image taken by Seema Krishnakumar Our challenges may be new. The has no ownership. instruments with which we meet What are they telling you?

What are you replying?

Use a phone to make a film about the objects you or your family are carrying in your pockets or bag. These could be keys, money, bank card or other everyday items. Now place those items onto the designated areas on this page and put your phone on the blank space on the guards stomach to create your own digital screen. Now play your film back. What do your objects and your film say about who you are? Empty your pockets!

Personal ID Card Items

Phone Use a phone to make a film about the objects you or your family are carrying in your pockets or bag. These could be keys, money, bank card or other everyday items. Now place those items onto the designated areas on this page and put your phone on the blank space on the guards stomach to create your own digital screen. Now play your film back. What do your objects and your film say about who you are?

Credit Cards Money

Draw a map of Josh Kline’s exhibition. Where are you? Write words that you hear in different you partsWrite words that of words are repeated? the gallery...what Where is the power in the room. Where is the control? Breaking out... x

The Occupy movement involved protesters camping in public areas for long periods of time. Think about how you could occupy the gallery.

What is your campaign about? Are you supporting something or are you protesting against something? What do you want to change? Occupy the Gallery:

Sit in the centre of the gallery and make yourself comfortable. Create your own area and spread out your possessions around you. Make a tent with your coat or jumper. Are you with your family or friends? Can you get them to join you in your Occupy the gallery movement? Use the space on the back page of this guide to write a slogan for your campaign.

How would you protest peacefully against scary police? How would you communicate with other protesters if the police were listening to your calls and reading your texts?

The protestors in Zuccotti Park set up a library, what would you set up to pass the time and change the way we think about the world?...What about a revolutionary gallery? Instead of a slogan you could do a protest drawing on the back of the guide. Write words that you hear in different you partsWrite words that of words are repeated? the gallery...what Kiki Kogelnik: Activities for workshops. Using shadows to abstract objects. This activity is inspired by Kogelnik’s paintings in which she abstracted objects into colourful blocks and patterns mixed in with body parts.

Instructions: Layout a large sheet of paper over the floor with some everyday objects positioned on it. Now create shadows by using a spotlights or torches in a darkened room. Trace the shadows onto the paper.

The objects can be moved, lit and traced again. Ask the group to consider the piece as one whole artwork and make careful decisions about casting shadows over someone else’s or how the shadows may join together. A composition of shapes begins to form, as the familiar objects become abstracted. The shapes can be painted in with blocks of colour, referencing the style and look of Kiki Kogelnik’s paintings.

You could explore patterns, shapes and abstraction further filming and photographing the work through a kaleidoscope.

To make this more complex, think of a theme to explore in the choice of objects.

Cut outs and Stencils. This activity is inspired by Kogelnik’s vinyl cut outs which she draped over coat hangers and rails.

Instructions: In pairs take it in turns to draw around each other on large sheets of cardboard or paper. Think about what position you want to put yourself in. Now cut your body shape out and paint it with acrylic paint with a sponge roller. Drape your cut out over something to dry.

Now you could do several things, here are some suggestions:

- If you have worked on cardboard: turn your cut outs into puppets by adding bamboo sticks to hold them up or use string. -Cut out shapes from coloured acetate and put them on to an overhead projector and project them onto your cut outs. -Create an installation of your cut out figures. Can you arrange your cut outs in such a way that they appear to be the ones in control? How does your cut out interact with the other cut outs and the group of people in the room? - If you have made floppy cut outs, these could be displayed on a washing line. What does the whole class look like as floppy cut outs? - Draw around your legs, arms, body and head separately and create a stencil so that you can create multiple body parts. From these you could create a large installation or wearable artwork or costume.

Kiki Koglenik, Untitled (small hanging), 1968. Sheet vinyl cutouts and wire on painted wood, Plexiglas.Andrew Rinkhy/ Kogelnik Foundation Vienna/ New York

If you choose to do these activities, or if they have inspired what you are doing in your class, we would love to hear about it! Send us a picture or share your classroom experiments inspired by the exhibitions on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #maoeducation. Activities for workshops: Josh Kline Questions for discussion. Think about these questions. Who has the control in your classroom and why? Why are laws useful? What happens when the state/government breaks the law?

Create a human microphone.

Instructions: Sometimes during protests to get a single voice heard a group of people will repeat in unison what one protester is shouting. Try this in a group? Each participant can think of a word or sentence they would like to be amplified. Individuals say their line or word the group then copies them. This activity may prompt discussions about how group dynamics work in different stuations, protests, concerts, playgrounds and classrooms. What do we understand by the words solidarity and equality, in relation to these words discuss what the differences might be between creating a human microphone or using a real microphone?

Film and screen building.

Instructions: In small groups use a recording device (video camera, phone, tablet) to make a film about the objects you all carry around with you. You can pick one object each which you have either in your pocket or in your bag. What do your objects say about your identity? Do they tell a story? Pass the camera around to make a 1 minute continuous film about you and your objects. Now these films need a screen. Think about how Josh Kline presents his screens built into the body. Create your own screens out of cardboard, they could stand up and be sculpted into an unusual shape or made so that they can be worn on the body. How does the context of the screen affect what is shown on it?

Strange Banners.

Instructions: Make some protest banners using materials you wouldn’t normally find at a protest. Think about how the words you use contrast with the material the banner is made from.

Josh Kline, Freedom, 2015 Courtesy of 47 Canal, New York. Photo credit: Joerg Lohse Josh Kline: Freedom Kiki Kogelnik: Fly Me to the Moon 22 August – 18 October 2015 Twitter: @mao_gallery Artist led workshops, for schools and other groups, are Instagram: @mao_gallery available during each exhibition. Facebook: ModArtOXford To book a workshop, discuss dates, times or any specific Free Admission needs you have, please contact: Ben Roberts, Curator of Education and Public Programmes Donations Welcome [email protected]

Opening Hours Workshops last approx. 2.5hrs and can be tailored to group sizes and year groups. Please note that groups should be no 11am – 6pm Tuesday – Saturday larger than 20 and that we cannot offer a dedicated lunch 12pm – 5pm Sunday space. Closed Monday Further information about the exhibitions is available at the Modern Art Oxford is a fully accessible venue. gallery and on request.

Museum of Modern Art Oxford Ltd is a Registered Charity no 313035 This activity guide has been designed by Georgie Manly & Judith Brocklehurst for Modern Art Oxford © Modern Art Oxford, 2015 Printed by Newspaper Club [email protected]

Modern Art Oxford is supported by: The current programme is generously supported by: