A photograph by Christopher Williams, dated 2020.
A photograph by Christopher Williams, dated 2020.

Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use)

David Zwirner is pleased to present new work by Christopher Williams (b. 1956). Referencing a wide range of source material, including Ikea catalogues, airplane magazines, coloring books, and his own past imagery, Footwear (Adapted for Use) reflects the artist’s ongoing interest in how meaning and information are actively structured through the process of adaptation and restaging. The exhibition will feature new photographs as well as distinctive wall treatments, hand-painted signs, printed ephemera, sculptures, and videos. The imagery, surfaces, and objects on display engage with postwar material and cultural histories while also responding to the unique spatial qualities of the gallery’s East 69th Street location in New York. This will be Williams’s ninth solo exhibition with David Zwirner.

 

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Image:
Christopher Williams
Model No. 2745 (Son)
Distance to lens: 105.5 cm
Garment label: HANOI TOCONTAP VIETNAM 48
Model No. 1542 (Mother)
Distance to lens: 159 cm
Garment label: VEB Wäschekonfektion m94 Obercrinitz 40°
Model No. 1316 (Father)
Distance to lens: 231 cm
Garment label: Dreiklang 60 2450 60°
Sleepware courtesy of Adlershofer Fundus Kostüm- & Requisitenverleih, Ernst-
Augustin-Str. 7, Berlin-Adlershof, Germany (fmr. DDR)
Pillows manufactured by Heinrich Häussling GmbH & Co., Branchweilerhofstraße
200, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany (fmr. DBR)
Bedding manufactured by Oberlausitzer Leinen, Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG, Zittauer
Straße 23, Neukirch/Lausitz, Germany (fmr. DDR)
Studio Thomas Borho, Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany
October 7, 2019
2020 (detail)

Dates
February 27July 24, 2020
Opening Reception
Thursday, February 27, 6–8 PM

“‘Use,’ at its simplest, is something to activate the mobilization of thought and vision for a ‘user.’ The art world is one of the few public areas that allow for speculative thought or slowed down vision. The camera, the gallery, the museum, the play between language and images, are all part of a workshop to make things that could be interesting and useful to others.”
—Christopher Williams in conversation with Catherine Taft and David Tasman in DIS magazine

“Christopher Williams’s recent exhibitions have been prefaced by open letters. Sometimes addressed to the models participating in his images, the letters act as a strategy that cuts across intimate dialogues and public debate, unveiling constructions of the self and the institutions of everyday life. He opens up the deep complexity of institutional structures while putting human detail into the frame.” —Duncan Wooldridge, Artforum
Installation view of Christopher Williams's exhibition at David Zwirner London in 2017.
Installation view, Christopher Williams, Open Letter: The Family Drama Refunctioned? (From the Point of View of Production), David Zwirner, London, 2017
Installation view, Christopher Williams, Open Letter: The Family Drama Refunctioned? (From the Point of View of Production), David Zwirner, London, 2017

Christopher Williams
Provisional Prop, Klebelayout, hochtransparentes Zeichenpapier entfernt
2020
Single-channel video, 32 min, black and white, sound

A photograph by Christopher Williams, dated 2019.

Christopher Williams

Adapted For Use:
Untitled
Focal length: 180mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Image ratio: 2:1
Distance lens to focal plane: 27cm
Distance film layer to focal plane: 81cm
Bellows extension: 36cm
Depth of field: 1.932mm
Studio Rhein Verlag, Düsseldorf
August 13, 2016
2019
Gelatin silver print
19 7/8 x 15 7/8 inches (50.5 x 40.3 cm)
“One of the most telling images in the Museum of Modern Art’s beautiful but demanding survey of the Conceptual photographer Christopher Williams represents an act of elegant iconoclasm. It lays bare something most of us rarely see: the guts of a camera’s lens. It is an amazing sight....He is an ardently self-conscious artist who wants to let us in on his entire act. You feel his touch everywhere....There’s nothing that he hasn’t tweaked....All these details conspire to make us look harder, and the images feel a little like windows, an expansive effect.” —Roberta Smith, The New York Times

“I address the production, reception, and distribution of photographic information… through the idea of models, and the adoption of models.” 
—Christopher Williams, DIS magazine

Christopher Williams
Provisional Prop, Klebelayout, hochtransparentes Zeichenpapier
2020

“For Williams, every artistic production is a sort of dialogic enterprise in which he engenders a conversation with creatives of his generation, his predecessors and artists of the younger generation…. Williams’ critique spans both authoritarian regimes and political situations, and the capitalist democracies of Western Europe and the USA.” —Roxana Marcoci in conversation with Colin Herd in Aesthetica magazine
A photograph by Christopher Williams, dated 2019.

Christopher Williams

Adapted For Use:
Teppich: Kinast Teppiche, Wiesenstraße 11, D-24539 Neumünster, Qualität: KODIAK, Flor ca. 3,5cm, Fabre: 482 010 – 100%, Größe cm: 200/200
Kochgeschirre: Contacto Bander GmbH, Gruitener Strasse 1, D-40699 Erkrath, Art-Nr.: 2101/600, Volumen: 155L, ∅ Innen: 60cm, Höhe außen: 55cm, ∅ Boden: 53cm
Studio Thomas Bohro, Düsseldorf 
March 24, 2019
2019
Gelatin silver print
16 x 19 3/4 inches (40.6 x 50.2 cm)
A photograph by Chris Williams titled Model No. 2745 (Son)  Distance to lens: 105.5 cm  Garment label: HANOI TOCONTAP VIETNAM 48  Model No. 1542 (Mother)  Distance to lens: 159 cm  Garment label: VEB Wäschekonfektion m94 Obercrinitz 40°  Model No. 1316 (Father)  Distance to lens: 231 cm  Garment label: Dreiklang 60 2450 60°  Sleepware courtesy of Adlershofer Fundus Kostüm- & Requisitenverleih, Ernst-  Augustin-Str. 7, Berlin-Adlershof, Germany (fmr. DDR)  Pillows manufactured by Heinrich Häussling GmbH & Co., Branchweilerhofstraße  200, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany (fmr. DBR)  Bedding manufactured by Oberlausitzer Leinen, Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG, Zittauer  Straße 23, Neukirch/Lausitz, Germany (fmr. DDR)  Studio Thomas Borho, Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany  October 7, 2019, 2020, dated 2020.

Christopher Williams

Model No. 2745 (Son) 
Distance to lens: 105.5 cm 
Garment label: HANOI TOCONTAP VIETNAM 48 
Model No. 1542 (Mother) 
Distance to lens: 159 cm 
Garment label: VEB Wäschekonfektion m94 Obercrinitz 40° 
Model No. 1316 (Father) 
Distance to lens: 231 cm 
Garment label: Dreiklang 60 2450 60° 
Sleepware courtesy of Adlershofer Fundus Kostüm- & Requisitenverleih, Ernst- 
Augustin-Str. 7, Berlin-Adlershof, Germany (fmr. DDR) 
Pillows manufactured by Heinrich Häussling GmbH & Co., Branchweilerhofstraße 
200, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany (fmr. DBR) 
Bedding manufactured by Oberlausitzer Leinen, Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG, Zittauer 
Straße 23, Neukirch/Lausitz, Germany (fmr. DDR) 
Studio Thomas Borho, Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany 
October 7, 2019
2020
Archival pigment print
16 x 19 3/8 inches (40.6 x 49.2 cm)
A photograph by Chris Williams titled Knockbox, 14 gram spent puck accumulator,  Kaffee + Kuchen  Venloer Str. 19. 50672 Köln, Germany  Studio Thomas Borho  Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany  October 13, 2019, 2020, dated 2020.

Christopher Williams

Knockbox, 14 gram spent puck accumulator, 
Kaffee + Kuchen 
Venloer Str. 19. 50672 Köln, Germany 
Studio Thomas Borho 
Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany 
October 13, 2019
2020
Archival pigment print
  • 16 x 19 3/8 inches (40.6 x 49.2 cm)
A photograph by Christopher Williams, dated 2020.

Christopher Williams

Untitled (standard men’s insole) 
BÚFALO 
NATURE 
ALLROUND 46 
2 Lagen 
Echtes Leder / Feuchtigkeitsbindend 
Inhalt: 1 Paar 
Art. 4035 
BNS Bergal Nico & Solitaire Vertriebs GmbH, Rheinallee 96, Mainz, Germany 
4035-BUF-1301 
Studio Thomas Borho, Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany 
October 3, 2019
2020
Archival pigment print
Print: 16 x 19 3/4 inches (40.6 x 50.2 cm)
Framed: 29 1/2 x 33 inches (74.9 x 83.8 cm)
“Williams’s photographs…. enable a vicarious appeal: imagining what it’s like to care so much about something, no matter what. And one immediately compelling aspect of Williams’s process is his mastery of the forms and protocols of display.” —Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
Installation view of the exhibition, Christopher Williams: Footwear (Adapted for Use), at David Zwirner in New York, dated 2020.
A photograph by Chris Williams titled Model No. 2745 (Son)  Distance to lens: 105.5 cm  Garment label: HANOI TOCONTAP VIETNAM 48  Model No. 1542 (Mother)  Distance to lens: 159 cm  Garment label: VEB Wäschekonfektion m94 Obercrinitz 40°  Model No. 1316 (Father)  Distance to lens: 231 cm  Garment label: Dreiklang 60 2450 60°  Sleepware courtesy of Adlershofer Fundus Kostüm- & Requisitenverleih, Ernst-  Augustin-Str. 7, Berlin-Adlershof, Germany (fmr. DDR)  Pillows manufactured by Heinrich Häussling GmbH & Co., Branchweilerhofstraße  200, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany (fmr. DBR)  Bedding manufactured by Oberlausitzer Leinen, Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG, Zittauer  Straße 23, Neukirch/Lausitz, Germany (fmr. DDR)  Studio Thomas Borho, Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany  October 7, 2019, 2020, dated 2020.

Christopher Williams

Model No. 2745 (Son)
Distance to lens: 105.5 cm
Garment label: HANOI TOCONTAP VIETNAM 48
Model No. 1542 (Mother)
Distance to lens: 159 cm
Garment label: VEB Wäschekonfektion m94 Obercrinitz 40°
Model No. 1316 (Father)
Distance to lens: 231 cm
Garment label: Dreiklang 60 2450 60°
Sleepware courtesy of Adlershofer Fundus Kostüm- & Requisitenverleih, Ernst-
Augustin-Str. 7, Berlin-Adlershof, Germany (fmr. DDR)
Pillows manufactured by Heinrich Häussling GmbH & Co., Branchweilerhofstraße
200, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany (fmr. DBR)
Bedding manufactured by Oberlausitzer Leinen, Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG, Zittauer
Straße 23, Neukirch/Lausitz, Germany (fmr. DDR)
Studio Thomas Borho, Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany
October 7, 2019

, 2020
Archival pigment print
Print: 16 x 19 3/8 inches (40.6 x 49.2 cm)
Framed: 29 x 32 inches (73.7 x 81.3 cm)
A photograph by Christopher Williams, dated 2020.

Christopher Williams

Untitled (standard men’s insole) 
BÚFALO 
NATURE 
ALLROUND 46 
2 Lagen 
Echtes Leder / Feuchtigkeitsbindend 
Inhalt: 1 Paar 
Art. 4035 
BNS Bergal Nico & Solitaire Vertriebs GmbH, Rheinallee 96, Mainz, Germany 
4035-BUF-1301 
Studio Thomas Borho, Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany 
October 3, 2019

, 2020
Archival pigment print
Print: 16 x 19 3/4 inches (40.6 x 50.2 cm)
Framed: 29 1/2 x 33 inches (74.9 x 83.8 cm)
A photograph by Chris Williams titled Knockbox, 14 gram spent puck accumulator,  Kaffee + Kuchen  Venloer Str. 19. 50672 Köln, Germany  Studio Thomas Borho  Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany  October 13, 2019, 2020, dated 2020.

Christopher Williams

Knockbox, 14 gram spent puck accumulator, 
Kaffee + Kuchen 
Venloer Str. 19. 50672 Köln, Germany 
Studio Thomas Borho 
Oberkasseler Str. 39, Düsseldorf, Germany 
October 13, 2019
, 2020
Archival pigment print
  • Print: 17 x 21 inches (43.2 x 53.3 cm)
    Framed: 30 x 33 1/2 inches (76.2 x 85.1 cm)
An installation by Christopher Williams, titled MODEL (David Zwirner, 34 East 69th Street, New York, NY, 10021), dated 2020.

Christopher Williams

MODEL (David Zwirner, 34 East 69th Street, New York, NY, 10021), 2020
Enamel paint, glass, aluminum, and felt
22 1/2 x 60 3/8 inches (57.1 x 153.3 cm)
A sculpture by Christopher Williams, titled Adapted For Use: Wall designed by Dirk Ufermann, Head Technician, Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn...., dated 2020.

Christopher Williams

Adapted For Use: Wall designed by Dirk Ufermann, Head Technician, Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn. Scaled at 1:1.2 for room dimensions of third floor gallery, David Zwirner, 34 East 69th Street, New York, NY. Constructed after drawings by Pasztori Simons Architects, Berlin with Avery Dennison 500 Event Film Matt vinyl (color code: 707EM) and PPG Diamond Interior Flat Matte paint (Seed Pearl 40YY 75/084), 2020
Plywood, metal, wood, aluminum, adhesive vinyl, acrylic, rubber, ink, and tape
114 1/8 x 114 5/8 x 18 5/8 inches (289.9 x 291.1 x 47.3 cm)
A photograph by Christopher Williams, dated 2019.

Christopher Williams

Adapted For Use:
Untitled
Focal length: 210mm
Aperture: f/11
Image ratio: 2.41:1
Distance lens to focal plane: 29.7cm
Distance film layer to focal plane: 101cm
Bellows extension: 50.6cm
Depth of field: 1.289mm
Studio Rhein Verlag, Düsseldorf
November 20, 2016
, 2019
Gelatin silver print
Print: 19 7/8 x 16 inches (40.6 x 50.5 cm)
Framed: 29 1/4 x 28 3/4 inches (74.3 x 73 cm)
A photograph by Christopher Williams, titled Adapted For Use: Hand Carved Songye Kifwebe Mask 22” – DR Congo African Art Overall Condition:..., dated 2019.

Christopher Williams

Adapted For Use:
Hand Carved Songye Kifwebe Mask 22” – DR Congo African Art
Overall Condition: Wear and tear — shown in photos. This mask could easily be partially restored. It
has been left alone to give buyer that option.
Was: US $375.00
You save: $187.50 (50% off)
Price: US $187.50
Shipping: $30.00 Standard Shipping
Item location: Clackamas, Oregon, United States
Ships to: Worldwide
Returns: Seller does not accept returns
Seller: tribaltruth16 (79)
Seller Notes: “This item is in good condition with imperfections and possible cracking or previous
repairs. See photos or inquire for specific details.”
Type of Object: Kifwebe Mask on Custom Stand
Country of Origin: DRC
Ethnicity: Songye
Materials: Wood, Pigment
Approximate Age: Unknown
Height (Inches): 22”
Width (Inches): 7.5”
Depth (Inches): 13”
Weight (Pounds): 2.5lbs
Keywords: Songye, Shaba, Lualaba, DRC, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zaire, Mask, Kifwebe
ID# 1000496
©1995-2019 eBay Inc., 2145 Hamilton Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
Studio Thomas Bohro, Düsseldorf
February 20, 2019, 2019
Gelatin silver print
Print: 19 3/4 x 15 3/4 inches (50.2 x 40 cm)
Framed: 31 1/8 x 28 3/4 inches (79.2 x 72.9 cm)
A photograph by Christopher Williams, dated 2019.

Christopher Williams

Adapted For Use:
Teppich: Kinast Teppiche, Wiesenstraße 11, D-24539 Neumünster, Qualität: KODIAK, Flor ca. 3,5cm, Fabre: 482 010 – 100%, Größe cm: 200/200
Kochgeschirre: Contacto Bander GmbH, Gruitener Strasse 1, D-40699 Erkrath, Art-Nr.: 2101/600, Volumen: 155L, ∅ Innen: 60cm, Höhe außen: 55cm, ∅ Boden: 53cm
Studio Thomas Bohro, Düsseldorf 
March 24, 2019
, 2019
Gelatin silver print
Print: 16 x 19 3/4 inches (40.6 x 50.2 cm) Framed: 28 1/8 x 30 inches (71.4 x 76.2 cm)

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