Rachel Harrison

Rachel Marrison, who is well-known for her enigmatic mixed-media sculptures, and Scott Lyall, who is recognized for his elaborate installations, were invited by Daniel Adler to collaborate; an approach that is not typical for either artist. Harrison and Lyall developed their art practices within a parallel dialogue, but they approached this unique opportunity to work together by trying to undermine their aesthetic similarities and draw attention to the seams of their collaborative process. Nevertheless, *When Hangover Becomes Form* is a coherent and visually engaging installation that is reflective of each of their distinctive and complex formal vocabularies. 

*When Hangover Becomes Form* is a co-presentation between the Contemporary Art Gallery and LACE (Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions). 

Guest curated by Daniel Alder

### Biographies

Dan Adler is assistant professor of modern and contemporary art history at the University of New Orleans. He is currently working on two book projects: a theoretical study of contemporary installation art and a historical critique of formalist art writing. He has published in the London-based academic journal Art History and regularly contributes reviews to Art in America magazine. His education includes a doctorate in art history from the Graduate Center, City University of New York, and a fellowship in Critical Studies in the Whitney Museum's Independent Study Program. He has taught previously at Hunter College, RISD. and the New School in New York. He is formerly senior editor of the Bibliography of the History of Art at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles.

Since graduating from Wesleyan University in 1989 with a BA in Fine Art, Rachel Harrison has had solo exhibitions at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (2004) and the Milwaukee Art Museum (2002). Her work has been included in the 4th Berlin Biennale (2006); Carnegie International, Pittsburgh (2004); the Venice Biennale (2003); and the Whitney Biennial, New York (2002). She has participated in exhibitions at the Migros Museum, Zurich (2005); Westfalischer Kunsteverein, Munster (2005); Brooklyn Museum of Art (2004, 1997); PS1 Contemporary Art Center (2002, 2000, 1998); and the Museum of Modern Art (2001, 1998). 

Born in Toronto in 1964, Scott Lyall studied Commerce at Queen's University, Kingston and Law at the University of Toronto before enrolling in art school. In 1993, he received a Masters Degree from CalArts, Los Angeles. Since then, he has exhibited in Canada and internationally, most recently at The Susan Hobbs Gallery, Toronto. Other exhibitions include York University, Toronto (2002), and Greene Naftali, New York (1996, 1998). He was the recipient of a PREA research award from the University of Waterloo, Canada (2004) for a paper proposing his approach to the subject of abstraction. 

Essay: “Rachel Harrison & Scott Lyall: When Hangover Becomes Form,” Dan Adler

Three artworks in a gallery. One is narrow and green, mounted on the wall. One is red and purple, resting on wood and foam. The third is yellow with gold sequined fabric on top, resting on a plinth.

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Various artworks in a gallery. The works are composed of wood, foam and paint. Some resemble shipping containers, some are small vertical constructions painted in bright colours like pink and green.

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A view from above of artworks in a gallery. At the centre, there is a tall tower of several white plinths, stacked. Other objects include planks of plywood and a photo of a person, posing semi-nude.

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A sculpture on the floor of a gallery, made of plywood and pink foam, layered in thin, long pieces. A smaller blue form sits atop it. On the wall, there is a projected image of a frog on a stone.