Nyehaus is pleased to present works by Rirkrit Tiravanija. Ririkrit’s work while socially provocative, avoids the mind numbing didacticism in which many of his fellow artists engage. Foundation 2021’s collection of Rirkrit’s work is comprised of five sculptures and two films (one of the films is a collaborative production with Philippe Parreno documenting the lectures delivered by the artist and friends’ puppet likeness).

In the center of the main gallery is a Rirkrit designed ping pong table (produced by Cumulus Studios) fabricated to be played outdoors. The piece is mirror polished aluminum that pulls in its surroundings to the surface of the table. Its fetishistic surface should not mislead the player / spectator that the table doesn’t deliver championship play.

Behind the table, perched on a small grandstand are puppet versions of Rirkrit and friends Phillipe Parreno, Pierre Huyghe, Liam Gillick and Hans Ulrich Obrist all poised and waiting for the match to begin.

Rirkrit’s cast blown glass sphere with a candle burning down in its center has the impression of Gavin Brown’s face blown in on one side of the sphere and his gallery director, Corinna Durland, blown in opposite him. One can only imagine the perverse commentary Rirkrit is suggesting about the relationship of the two people in charge of his career, both to him and to each other.

Chrome, an ever present theme in Rirkrit’s play, is found in his classic “Cooking Corner,” 2004. The reflection from the ensemble of cooking apparati may distort the viewer’s presence, but none the less make one part of Rirkrit’s theater. The acid yellow lettering on white background spelling out “Of Course In The Future Everything Will Be Chrome” quoting the great philosopher, Sponge Bob, reasserts that while issues of hunger and cultural traditions are layered into Rirkrit’s work, humor is the main serving utensil.

Nyehaus is an exhibition space founded by devoted contemporary art collector and curator Tim Nye. In addition, Nyehaus commissions new works in order to expand and enliven the dialogue within an artist’s oeuvre. Located in the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, 8D, Nyehaus is open by appointment from Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, please visit www.nyehaus.com or contact Allison Wilbur and Azul Ceballos at 212.995.1785 or [email protected]

Cumulus Studios was formed in 2008 to give artists an opportunity to create functional outdoor objects for a landscape typically adorned with the bland and the uninspired. For further information, please contact Nathalie Karg or James White at 212 563 7821 or [email protected]