Shoot The Lobster is pleased to announce “Can’t Stop Rock Lobster”, the first formal gallery exhibition by artist and musician collaborators, Merkx & Gwynne.

Dear Chris Martin, Mary Grace Wright, Jose Martos, Jessica Bennett, Jonathan Jacobson, Tonya Huskey, Tania Cross, Birgit Rathsmann, Tamara Cepeda, Chris Butler, Mike Flannery, Cy Amundson, Severin Dickson, Laura DiVergilio, Jackie Farry, Gavin Kenyon, Borden Capilino, Barb Choit, Rachel Higgins, Jennifer Sullivan, Bill Saylor, Aidas Bareikis, Maliea Croy, Agnes Lux, Angela Conant, Anders Holen, Andra Ursuta, Justin Meekel, Andy Cross, Anke Weyer, Ariel Dill, Arielle Falk, Baris Gokturk, Ben Dowell, Bree Zucker, Catherine Krudy, Chris Domenick, Christian Sampson, Christine Tarkowski, Christopher Rivera, Claudia Peña Salinas, Cynthia Daignault, Dave Shull, Dave Miko, David Malek, Davina Semo, Deirdre O’Dwyer, Denise Kupferschmidt, Egan Frantz, Eliza Douglas, Elizabeth Jaeger, Ellie Ga, Eric Legris, Erica Baum, Erik den Breejen, Maria Louisa Calandra, Esther Kläs, Graham Allen Watling, Filip Notredame, Francisca Benítez, Fritz Welch, Gareth Long, Gina Beavers, Gregory Wittler, Hector Arce Espasas, Kenneth Morrison, James Hoff, Børre Sæthre, Jimmy the Brain, Jodie Jacobson, Joanna Seitz, Johnny Mullen, Jordan Wolfson, Joshua Abelow, Joshua Johnson, Jules de Balincourt, Julia Rommel, Julie DeLano, Justin Adian, Justin Lieberman, Justin Matherly, Justin Shock, Kenny Curwood, Kristen Jensen, Kristof Wickman, Lauren Luloff, Leif Ritchey, Linnea Kniaz, Lionel Maunz, Mamie Tinkler, Martin Murphy, Matt Hilshorst, Matteo Callegari, Mike Egan, Nicole Russo, Paul Jacobsen, Peter LaBier, Rebecca Gilbert, Richard Gamble, Richard Tinkler, Rose Marcus, Sarada Rauch, Sarah Dorner, Sean Keenan, Sean Landers, Servane Mary, Talia Chetrit, Tamara Gonzales, Tim Eastman, Timothy Hull, Tisch Abelow, Van Hanos, Virginia Overton, Zachary Bruder, Zoe Claire Miller,

It is with excitement and delight that we cordially invite you to participate in the video shoot and related exhibition for “Can’t Stop Rock Lobster” at Martos Gallery’s new project space, Shoot the Lobster, opening June 23, 2012.

As you may know, we have been collaborating as musicians and music video producers for several years (see Furio). Last year on Hal-LOVE-ween we recorded, with The Love Loves, a cover of the legendary B-52s song, “Rock Lobster” (running time 9:17). This live cover remains the conceptual and stylistic focus of the group show. We’re also pleased to announce the track will be released on a limited edition transparent-red vinyl 12” 45rpm single to accompany the show.

We invite you to join us as an artist/collaborator for this project. Your participation would entail the production of a cardboard (or otherwise manufactured) prop or an artwork related to the themes and lyrics of “Rock Lobster.” Nautacalia, crustalia, bathing suits (one piece and two), swim caps, snorkels, and general 1980s beach-, maritime-, marine biology- and lobster shack-themed notions may apply.

In late April we completed an introduction to the video, shot in Chris Martin’s inaugural site-specific installation at Shoot the Lobster. After a full day of lip-syncing and air-drumming, we painted the gallery walls from red to white (see Tom Sawyer) as a prelude to the larger group installation taking place in exactly the same gallery in June.

We want to do something a little bit like the prelude video (see below), but with many many many more props, finally creating a total environment of “artist-made nautical crap from 1984.” We hope you will become a part of our long, ravenous list of collaborators. The exhibition will take the shape of a giant group show organized by us, to be utilized as an elaborate set for a music video (install and shoot begins June 18 in a partially-open gallery), with a public opening reception on June 23, culminating in a bacchanalian lobster dinner TBA, and all cleaned up by Independence Day. We hope to achieve a sublimely gigantic and romantically heroic scale of contributions and we’d love to count on your participation. Please RSVP ASAP.

V.v.V xox, Andrea and Nathan

P.S. Vegans welcome.

Andrea Merkx and Nathan Gwynne each received an MFA from Hunter College (2006 and 2010 respectively). They live and work in Brooklyn, NY and they can’t stop. Installation courtesy of Chris Martin and Mitchell-Innes & Nash. For further information please contact 212-560-0670 or [email protected]