Step into the world of Flora Mayo with “Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler: Flora,” a cutting-edge multimedia exhibition coming to Bechtler Museum of Modern Art from September 23, 2023, to January 21, 2024. Originally showcased at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017, this marks the first appearance on the East Coast.
Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler Flora, 2017. Synchronized double-sided film installation. Shared soundtrack, 12 audio channels; 30 minutes. Overall dimensions vary with installation. Collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, The Friends of Art Endowment Fund and Museum purchase © Photos – courtesy of Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler.
Hubbard / Birchler, known for their innovative use of video, sound, and photography, delve into history, memory, and social narratives. Their project focuses on Flora Mayo, an enigmatic artist whose life intertwined with sculptor Alberto Giacometti at Paris’s Académie de la Grande Chaumière in the 1920s.
The heart of the exhibition is a two-sided film installation named “Flora,” engaging viewers in a captivating dialogue between Flora Mayo and her son, David Mayo. Reimagining Mayo’s life through a feminist lens, the project blends narration, reenactment, and documentary elements. Accompanying works, “Bust” and “Archive,” add depth to Mayo’s narrative, spotlighting her artistry and legacy.
“Bust,” 2017. Flora Mayo and Alberto Giacometti, with the bust she made of him, circa 1927. Photographer unknown. Collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, The Friends of Art Endowment Fund and Museum purchase.
Running alongside this exhibition is “Giacometti and the Artists of the Grande Chaumière,” featuring a collection of international artists who attended the iconic Parisian art school. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the vibrant artistic environment where Giacometti and Mayo’s love and creativity thrived.
Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler – Flora, 2017. Synchronized double-sided film installation. Shared soundtrack, 12 audio channels; 30 minutes. Overall dimensions vary with installation. Collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, The Friends of Art Endowment Fund and Museum purchase ©
Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler – Flora, 2017. Synchronized double-sided film installation. Shared soundtrack, 12 audio channels; 30 minutes. Overall dimensions vary with installation. Collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, The Friends of Art Endowment Fund and Museum purchase ©
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, presents the East Coast premiere of “Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler: Flora” through January 21, 2024.
Don’t miss this immersive journey through art and history, shedding new light on Flora Mayo’s incredible life and her enduring impact on the art world. “Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler: Flora” is organized by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, with support from local entities like the Infusion Fund and the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.
