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 Agnes Lux, Aidas Bareikis, Anders Holen, Andra Ursuta, Andrea Merkx, Andy Cross, Angela Conant, Anke Weyer, Ariel Dill, Arielle Falk, Barb Choit, Baris Gokturk, Ben Dowell, Bill Saylor, Birgit Rathsmann , Borden Capilino, Børre Sæthre, Chad Laird, Chad Mitchner, Chris Boni, Chris Butler, Chris Domenick, Chris Laird, Chris Martin, Christian Sampson, Christine Tarkowski, Christopher Rivera, CIRCUIT – Centre d’art contemporain, Claudia Peña, Colin O’Con, Courtney Puckett, Cy Amundson, Cynthia Daignault, Daniel Lefcourt, David Malek, David Shull, Davina Semo, Deirdre O’Dwyer, Denise Kupferschmidt, Drew Beattie, Elizabeth Jaeger, Emilie Pischedda, Eric Wall, Erica Baum, Erik den Breejen and Maria Louisa Calandra, Esther Klaes, Ryan Eugene Kelley, FIlip Notredame, Francisca Benitez, Fritz Welch, Gavin Kenyon, Gina Beavers, Graham Allen Watling, Gregory Wittler, Hector Arce Espasas, James Hoff, Jane Beaird, Jennifer Sullivan, Jess Wheaton, Jimmy Sevigny , Jodie Jacobson, Joel Fennell, Joey Frank, Johnny Mullen, Jonathan Jacobson, Jonathan Tracy, Joshua Abelow, Joshua Johnson, Jules DeBalincourt, Julie DeLano , Justin Adian, Justin Lieberman, Kenneth Zoran Curwood, Knials&Dobs, Kristen Jensen, Kristof Wickman, Landon Metz, Lauren Luloff, Leif Ritchey, Lionel Maunz, Mamie Tinkler, Maria Calandra, Matthew Hilshorst, Matteo Callegari, Mike Egan, Mike Flannery, Nathan Gwynne, Patrick Berran, Patrick Lundeen, Paul Bergeron, Paul Jacobsen, Peter LaBier, Price Good Market Inc., Rachel Higgins, Ray Prism, Rebecca Gilbert, Richard Gamble, Rose Marcus, Rosy Keyser, Ryan Foerster, Sarada Rauch, Sean Keenan, Sean Slemon, Servane Mary, Severin Dickson, Talia Chetrit, Tamara Cepeda, Tamara Gonzales, Tania Cross, Timothy Hull , Tisch Abelow, Tom Long, Tonya Huskey, Tyler Dobson, Van Hanos, Zachary Bruder, Zerek Kempf, 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.

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 invite you to join us as a collaborator for this project. Your participation would entail the contribution of a prop or an artwork related to the themes and lyrics of “Rock Lobster,” Nautacalia, crustalia, etc.

We will be shooting the second half of our music video, and finally creating a total environment of “artistmade nautical crap from 1984.” The exhibition will take the shape of a giant group show organized by us, to be utilized by us (installation and shooting begin June 19th in a partially-open gallery). Please attend the public opening reception on June 23. Formal dress is required for the opening occasion—please wear general beach comber styles, bathing suits (one piece and two), flip flops, bucket hats, swim caps, snorkels, and general 1980s beach-, maritime-, marine biology- and lobster shack-themed notions may apply (tux and tails are okay too, but please wear evening gloves).

V.v.V xox, Andrea and Nathan

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.

For further information please contact 212-560-0670 or [email protected]