The Soft State of Custodia | Bunker Projects, 2020

“The Soft State of Custodia” is the latest iteration of our on-going project “Custodia”. Planned before the pandemic struck, the project– with its cleaning imagery– suddenly felt prescient. We worked with Bunker Projects to develop ways to present the show primarily online, and so it exists mainly through three dimensional panoramas, a video “walk through” made by a Roomba, a podcast review and essay from the writer Anna Mirzayan, and the photos below taken by Ivette Spradlin.

From the press release:

In this newest installation, the artists grapple with the ghost-like presence of the pandemic-now an additional layer in the backdrop of our world. This presence has diffused most all congregations of people into the internet to work and play and watch and buy. Beyond the technology that has enabled our shifting connectivity is our experience of public space and home. Who works-from-home? Has our context of domestic labor shifted away from feminine work?

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In this new age we were introduced to the “essential-business” and “essential-workers” exposing our essential needs and laying them quite bare. Custodia has in turn become a soft space; its softness a gesture against autocratic impulses. It is a sealed space, empty of people, mimicking a closed down house where softly draped forms shelter in place. Here, notions of cleanliness and contamination exist on a continuum of chore and compulsion, serenity and threat. Through illusion, irreverence, and absurd humor, Aldrich and Weissberger dove into this territory.

CUSTODIA | C for Courtside, 2019

Mops, drains, buckets, rags, dustpans, brooms, vacuum cleaners and other tools of cleaning and maintenance form the central imagery of CUSTODIA. Cleaning tools are liminal; dirty in that they are always touching things that are dirty, but necessary for cleanliness. The banal is blurred with the mystical, the chore with the compulsion to create. Dirty and abject things may appear authentic and trustworthy in that they are by definition non-seductive and contain no outer shell of artifice, which infers some interior meaning–though the clutter is arranged, and colors are chosen.

Dirty Work | University of Pittsburgh, 2017

• Read The Glass Block’s interview with us.

Dirty Work is the third collaborative installation by Eleanor Aldrich and Barbara Weissberger.  In it they continue to explore the tension between illusion and the actual; the dynamic relationship between material and image; and art production as work.

Silver Broom (Weissberger), digital photograph/archival pigment print, 2016. Trapezoidal Sink (Aldrich), acrylic, enamel, and caulking on canvas, 2017. Purple and Red Mop Head (Aldrich), oil and silicone, 2017.

Mop Figure [Lean In] (Aldrich), paper, acrylic, oil, silicone, and found plastic, 2017.

Silhouette (Weissberger), digital photograph/archival pigment print, 2016, and Bird Bottles (Aldrich), enamel on sprayfoam, 2017, and Yellow Bucket, Purple Wave (Weissberger), digital photograph/Photo Tex adhesive backed print, 2016.

Circular Drain (Aldrich), oil, silicone, and enamel on panel, 2017. Waffle Drain (Aldrich), oil, enamel, silicone, pigment, and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Rag Pile (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Various Clothing Fragments (Weissberger), unique sewn, digital photograph/print on fabric, wire stand, 2016. Plaster Rags (Aldrich), pigment and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Rag Pile (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Various Clothing Fragments (Weissberger), unique sewn, digital photograph/print on fabric, wire stand, 2016. Plaster Rags (Aldrich), pigment and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Low Sweep (Weissberger), digital photograph/Photo Tex adhesive backed print, 2016, and Yellow Push Broom (Aldrich), oil and enamel on found object, 2017.

Aldrich + Weissberger, 2017.

Hex Sink (Aldrich), acrylic, enamel, and caulking on canvas with wire, 2017, and Zebra Rug (Aldrich), silicone, oil and caulking on screen, 2017.

Hex Sink (Aldrich), acrylic, enamel, and caulking on canvas with wire, 2017.

Detail of Sponge Gate (Aldrich), borax on wool, 2017.

Detail of Sponge Gate (Aldrich), borax on wool, 2017.

Blue and Table (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Mop Figure [Drape] (Aldrich), paper and acrylic, 2017. Three Legged Table (Weissberger), plaster, insulation foam, furniture legs, stickers, tape, 2017. Striped Aperture (Weissberger), digital photograph/Photo Tex adhesive backed print, 2016.

Hair Clump (Weissberger), digital photographs/layered archival pigment prints, 2016. Magic Carpet (Aldrich), oil, enamel, silicone, oil, tile, plastic grid and paper on vinyl, 2017.

Left to right: Blue and Table (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Mop Figure [Drape] (Aldrich), paper and acrylic, 2017. Three Legged Table (Weissberger), plaster, insulation foam, furniture legs, stickers, tape, 2017. Striped Aperture (Weissberger), digital photograph/Photo Tex adhesive backed print, 2016. Tufted (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Magic Carpet (Aldrich), oil, enamel, silicone, oil, tile, plastic grid and paper on vinyl, 2017. Hair Clump (Weissberger), digital photographs/layered archival pigment prints, 2016.

Detail of Sponge Gate (Aldrich), borax on wool, 2017, with Mop Figure [Lean In] (Aldrich), paper, acrylic, oil, silicone, and found plastic, 2017, and Push Mower, (Weissberger) digital photograph/print on fabric, mop, broom handle, 2016.

Sponge Gate (Aldrich), borax on wool, 2017, and Cardboard Vacuum (Weissberger), digital photograph/ print on fabric, Swiffer, broom handle, 2016.

Push Mower (Weissberger), digital photograph/print on fabric, mop, broom handle, 2016, Mop Figure [Lean In] (Aldrich), paper, acrylic, oil, silicone, and found plastic, 2017, Sponge Gate (Aldrich), borax on wool, 2017, and Cardboard Vacuum (Weissberger), digital photograph/print on fabric, Swiffer, broom handle, 2016.

Clockwise from center left: Waffle Drain (Aldrich), oil, enamel, silicone, pigment, and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017. Circular Drain (Aldrich), oil, silicone, and enamel on panel, 2017. Dropcloth (Weissberger) digital photograph/print on fabric, 2016. Wooden shape (Aldrich), oil on canvas, 2017. Yellow Bucket with Gold Tights (Weissberger), cardboard, plaster, archival pigment print, acrylic paint, acrylic tar gel, 2016.

Yellow Bucket with Gold Tights (Weissberger), cardboard, plaster, archival pigment print, acrylic paint, acrylic tar gel, 2016.

Clockwise from top: Waffle Drain (Aldrich), oil, enamel, silicone, pigment, and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017. Dropcloth (Weissberger) digital photograph/print on fabric, 2016. Yellow Bucket with Gold Tights (Weissberger), cardboard, plaster, archival pigment print, acrylic paint, acrylic tar gel, 2016.

Low Sweep (Weissberger), digital photograph/Photo Tex adhesive backed print, 2016, and Yellow Push Broom (Aldrich), oil and enamel on found object, 2017.

Clockwise from upper left: Dropcloth (Weissberger) digital photograph/print on fabric, 2016. Yellow Bucket with Gold Tights (Weissberger), cardboard, plaster, archival pigment print, acrylic paint, acrylic tar gel, 2016. Wooden shape (Aldrich), oil on canvas, 2017.

Detail of Tufted (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Hair Clump (Weissberger), digital photographs/layered archival pigment prints, 2016.

Detail of Waffle Drain (Aldrich), oil, enamel, silicone, pigment, and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Detail of Dropcloth (Weissberger), digital photograph/print on fabric, 2016.

Mop Figure [Drape] (Aldrich), paper and acrylic, 2017. Three Legged Table (Weissberger), plaster, insulation foam, furniture legs, stickers, tape, 2017.

Striped Aperture (Weissberger), digital photograph/Photo Tex adhesive backed print, 2016.

Detail of Tufted (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017

Actual Dustpan (Weissberger), plaster, wire, acrylic paint, acrylic modeling paste, Plexiglas box, cut digital C-print, 2016.

Actual Clock (Aldrich), oil and silicone, 2017.

Detail of Cardboard Vacuum (Weissberger), digital photograph/print on fabric, Swiffer, broom handle, 2016.

Detail of Mop Figure [Lean In] (Aldrich), paper, acrylic, oil, silicone, and found plastic, 2017, and Push Mower, (Weissberger) digital photograph/print on fabric, mop, broom handle, 2016.

Mop Figure [Lean In] (Aldrich), paper, acrylic, oil, silicone, and found plastic, 2017, and Push Mower (Weissberger), digital photograph/print on fabric, mop, broom handle, 2016.

Cardboard Vacuum (Weissberger), digital photograph/print on fabric, Swiffer, broom handle, 2016.

Bird Bottles (Aldrich), enamel on sprayfoam, 2017, and Yellow Bucket, Purple Wave (Weissberger), digital photograph/Photo Tex adhesive backed print, 2016.

Silhouette (Weissberger), digital photograph/archival pigment print, 2016.

Untitled [Clock] (Aldrich), oil and silicone, 2017.

Detail of Rag Pile (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Various Clothing Fragments (Weissberger), unique sewn, digital photograph/print on fabric, wire stand, 2016. Plaster Rags (Aldrich), pigment and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Detail of Rag Pile (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Various Clothing Fragments (Weissberger), unique sewn, digital photograph/print on fabric, wire stand, 2016. Plaster Rags (Aldrich), pigment and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Detail of Rag Pile (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Various Clothing Fragments (Weissberger), unique sewn, digital photograph/print on fabric, wire stand, 2016. Plaster Rags (Aldrich), pigment and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Detail of Rag Pile (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Various Clothing Fragments (Weissberger), unique sewn, digital photograph/print on fabric, wire stand, 2016. Plaster Rags (Aldrich), pigment and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Detail of Rag Pile (Aldrich + Weissberger), 2017. Various Clothing Fragments (Weissberger), unique sewn, digital photograph/print on fabric, wire stand, 2016. Plaster Rags (Aldrich), pigment and plaster wrap on canvas, 2017.

Sponge Gate (Aldrich), borax on wool, 2017.

Hive and Double | Grin, Providence 2016

In Hive and Double, Aldrich and Weissberger present a collaborative body of work about the installation or exhibition of large work that blurs the lines between production and product.

• Visit the show page on Grin’s Artsy site.
• Read Charlie Smith’s interview with the artists.

Hive and Double, (collaborative). Rousched Truck, (Aldrich), caulking and enamel on canvas, 62″ x 74″, 2016. Lawn Chair, (Aldrich), oil and silicone on found object, 34″ x 24″ x 12″, 2015. Bubble Wrap, (Aldrich), silicone, dimensions variable, 2015. Chopping Block, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ archival pigment print and wooden axe handle, 46.5″ x 9″, 2016.

Bookstand, (collaborative), soft cover books, plaster with enamel, pigment, and marker, enamel and acrylic on panel, found stand, 34″ x 9.5″ x 11″, 2016.

Yellow Steps and Yellow Pencil, (Weissberger), digital photograph print on cotton, 71″ x 44.5″, 2016. Flaming Ladder, (Aldrich) oil, enamel, silicone, wire and wood, 58″ x 24″, 2016. Slash Light, (Aldrich), oil and silicone on canvas with mesh screen, 24″ x 18″, 2014.

Ape and Shape, (collaborative), wool, silicone with paper and enamel, plaster, acrylic paint, wire, 19″ x 15″ x 15″, 2016.

Vertical Drift, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ print on cotton, 71″ x 44.5″, 2016, with Ape and Shape, (collaborative), wool, silicone with paper and enamel, plaster, acrylic paint, wire, 19″ x 15″ x 15″, 2016.

Slash Light, (Aldrich), oil and silicone on canvas with mesh screen, 24″ x 18″, 2014.

Aisle Eight, (Aldrich), paper, silicone, enamel and acrylic on canvas, 50″ x 68″, 2016, with The Saddest Clown, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ archival pigment print and wood, dolly, 11″ x 30″ x 18″, 2016.

Pencil Eye, (Weissberger), digital photograph/archival pigment print with custom shaped frame, 19″ x 13″, 2016, with Double Portrait, (Aldrich), oil and silicone, 24″ x 32″, 2016.

Bookstand, (collaborative), soft cover books, plaster with enamel, pigment, and marker, enamel and acrylic on panel, found stand, 34″ x 9.5″ x 11″, 2016.

Aldrich/Weissberger, gallery shot of Hive and Double at Grin

Aldrich/Weissberger, gallery shot of Hive and Double at Grin

Aldrich/Weissberger, gallery shot of Hive and Double at Grin

Splintered Cup, (Aldrich), paper and silicone with enamel, 4″ x 2″ x 2″, 2016.

Double Portrait, (Aldrich), oil and silicone, 24″ x 32″, 2016.

Aldrich/Weissberger, gallery shot of Hive and Double at Grin

Aldrich/Weissberger, gallery shot of Hive and Double at Grin

Aldrich/Weissberger, gallery shot of Hive and Double at Grin

Tile with Plaster Rag, (Aldrich), acrylic, enamel, plaster wrap, tile, and pigment on panel, 28″ x 34″, 2016.

The Saddest Clown, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ archival pigment print and wood, dolly, 11″ x 30″ x 18″, 2016.

Detail of Aisle Eight, (Aldrich), paper, silicone, enamel and acrylic on canvas, 50″ x 68″, 2016.

United Paint Bucket, (Aldrich), oil, enamel, paper, and silicone, 8″ x 6″ x 6″, 2016.

Chicana, (Aldrich), oil and silicone, 30″ x 24″, 2016.

Lawn Chair, (Aldrich), oil and silicone on found object, 34″ x 24″ x 12″, 2015.

Aisle Eight, (Aldrich), paper, silicone, enamel and acrylic on canvas, 50″ x 68″, 2016.

Pencil Eye, (Weissberger), digital photograph/archival pigment print with custom shaped frame, 19″ x 13″, 2016.

Gloves, (Weissberger), soft cover books; variation one- pages in gradient, green cover, variation two- green pages, blue cover, 11″ x 8.5″, 2016. Edition of 50.

Hammer Nose, (Weissberger), digital photographs/ archival pigment prints, custom shaped frames, 21.5″ x 36″, 2016.

Vertical Drift, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ print on cotton, 71″ x 44.5″, 2016.

Chopping Block, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ archival pigment print and wooden axe handle, 46.5″ x 9″, 2016.

Chicana, (Aldrich), oil and silicone, 30″ x 24″, 2016, with Slant, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ archival pigment print, 25″ x 36.5″, 2016.

Tilted Table (Weissberger), digital photograph/ archival print on cotton, 71″ x 44.5″, 2016, with Shoe, (Weissberger), plaster on sneaker, 4″ x 8″ x 3.5″, 2015, and United Paint Bucket, (Aldrich), oil, enamel, paper, and silicone, 8″ x 6″ x 6″, 2016.

Splintered Cup, (Aldrich), paper and silicone with enamel, 4″ x 2″ x 2″, 2016.

Chopping Block, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ archival pigment print and wooden axe handle, 46.5″ x 9″, 2016.

Slant, (Weissberger), digital photograph/ archival pigment print, 25″ x 36.5″, 2016.

Detail of Aisle Eight, (Aldrich), paper, silicone, enamel and acrylic on canvas, 50″ x 68″, 2016

Difficult, Difficult, Lemon Difficult, (Collaboration), acrylic and enamel on canvas with paper, insulation foam and plastic mesh, digital photograph/archival pigment print. 10″ x 63″ x 74″, 2015.

Material Outreach Program | the Drawing Center

Installation view of Material Outreach Program at the Drawing Center’s “Name
it by Trying to Name It”, New York, NY, 2015. Dimensions variable.

Installation view of Material Outreach Program at the Drawing Center’s “Name it by Trying to Name It”, New York, NY, 2015. Dimensions variable.

Installation view of Material Outreach Program at the Drawing Center’s “Name it by Trying to Name It”, New York, NY, 2015. Dimensions variable.

Installation view of Material Outreach Program at the Drawing Center’s “Name it by Trying to Name It”, New York, NY, 2015. Dimensions variable.

Installation view of Material Outreach Program at the Drawing Center’s “Name it by Trying to Name It”, New York, NY, 2015. Dimensions variable.

Installation view of Material Outreach Program at the Drawing Center’s “Name it by Trying to Name It”, New York, NY, 2015. Dimensions variable.

Difficult, Difficult, Lemon Difficult

Difficult, Difficult, Lemon Difficult, (Collaboration), acrylic and enamel on canvas with paper, insulation foam and plastic mesh, digital photograph/archival pigment print. 10″ x 63″ x 74″, 2015.

Difficult, Difficult, Lemon Difficult, (Collaboration), acrylic and enamel on canvas with paper, insulation foam and plastic mesh, digital photograph/archival pigment print. 10″ x 63″ x 74″, 2015.

Difficult, Difficult, Lemon Difficult, (Collaboration), acrylic and enamel on canvas with paper, insulation foam and plastic mesh, digital photograph/archival pigment print. 10″ x 63″ x 74″, 2015.

Difficult, Difficult, Lemon Difficult, (Collaboration), acrylic and enamel on canvas with  paper, insulation foam and plastic mesh, digital photograph/archival pigment print. 10″ x 63″ x 74″, 2015.

 

Pink Planter and Rubber Chair

Pink Planter and Rubber Chair, (collaboration), Silicone, oil, and enamel on canvas, archival digital photographic prints, dibond, cardboard, 2015, Dimensions variable.

Pink Planter and Rubber Chair, (collaboration), Silicone, oil, and enamel on canvas, archival digital photographic prints, dibond, cardboard, 2015, Dimensions variable.

Pink Planter and Rubber Chair, (collaboration), Silicone, oil, and enamel on canvas, archival digital photographic prints, dibond, cardboard, 2015, Dimensions variable.

Pink Planter and Rubber Chair, (collaboration), Silicone, oil, and enamel on canvas, archival digital photographic prints, dibond, cardboard, 2015, Dimensions variable.