WAR OF THE WORLDS TIM ROLLINS + K.O.S NOVEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 22, 2003 EXTENDED THROUGH DECEMBER 3, 2003 OPENING RECEPTION, NOVEMBER 1, 2003. 6-8PM

This fall White Box is pleased to present the renowned artistic team of Tim Rollins and K.O.S. (Kids of Survival). From October 14th to the 31st, White Box’s exhibition space on West 26th Street will be transformed into a community-based Studio Lab for Rollins and K.O.S. Recruiting and working with young artists ages 8 – 18, drawn from public and private schools, community centers and youth programs in the Chelsea neighborhood, New York’s Uptown meets Downtown as the South Bronx-based K.O.S. work in concert with Chelsea kids, those most marginalized and separated from the booming art scene now exploding in their own neighborhood.

Always inspired by works of literature or music, Rollins and K.O.S. will be creating a new large-scale painting inspired by The War of the Worlds and works on paper inspired by Joseph Haydn’s The Creation. First published in 1898, H.G. Wells classic science fiction novel The War of the Worlds was written as a deliberate challenge to the naive optimism and wonder of previous science fiction, best represented in the writings of Jules Verne. Wells was more interested in the future and outer “space as a source of human danger.”

Inspired by Wells’ critical imagination, current world events and the enduring sources of Uccello’s “Battle of San Romano” paintings, El Lizzitsky’s great print ” Use the Red Wedge to Beat the Whites.” the flag works of Jasper Johns and David Hammons, the embroidery works of Boetti along with the more vernacular influences of classic sci-fi movie battle scenes, video games and the visual spectacle of New York City’s Puerto Rican and Dominican Day Parades, Rollins and K.O.S. will be preparing a colossal 8 x 30’ painting depicting all the flags of every nation of the world fragmented, splintered and composed in total battle.

The other works in the exhibition will be inspired by the music of The Creation composed by Joseph Haydn in 1797-98. Drawing on American Indian, African and Celtic creation literature, current ideas in cosmology as well as the new photographic and computer simulated imagery produced by the Hubble Telescope, Rollins and K.O.S. along with the young Chelsea artists will be painting their own “big bangs” – their own personal interpretations of The Beginning – directly on pages taken from Haydn’s musical score.

STUDIOLAB

Visitors are welcome during the work-in-process from October 20 through November 1. Please call for an appointment @ 212-714-2347.

PARTICIPANTS

• Participant school/age range: middle school / 

• Reading selections consists of advanced content but the message is appropriate for any age/level
• Demographic: underprivileged young people with limited access to arts programs or mentorship. 

• Workshop size: 15-20 participants.

LOGISTICS 

• Workshop runtime: 3-4 hours for a 1-day project and up to 3-4 day projects (2 hours per day) depending on scope and budget
• Studio K.O.S. selects reading material in advance and produces a list of art supplies and additional materials needed.

• Participant introduction
• Participants introduce themselves, as the workshop goes on they often open up more and bond over personal experiences

workshop outline

INTRODUCTION OF THE TEXTS

The artists lead in an informal, “round table” style synopsis of the text, this is often supported by video clips and/or music as additional visual and audio aides (this is a “thinking outside of the box” approach – not all those who read retain information the same way)

READINGS

• Both artists and participants take turns reading selected passages

PANEL DISCUSSION

“WAR OF THE WORLDS? Art & Community in a Changing Chelsea” Saturday, November 22, 5 pm

ART RESOURCES TRANSFER INC.

Concurrently visitors are invited to view: A SURVEY OF WORKS ON PAPER by Tim Rollins + K.O.S. October 15 – November 15, 2003 @ 210 11th Avenue (corner-between 25th and 26th Streets)