MIAMI BEACH, FL.- A conceptual artist based in Miami, Bert Rodriguez explores the relationships between art, the artist, and examines personal value systems of the viewer, often poking fun at the art market and the audience who measures its validity. His works are shown in a variety of media including film, video, photography, sculpture, installation and sound. His work has been exhibited world-wide, and he has received a number of commissions from prestigious institutions.
This exhibition includes a number of media, including a web-based portrait project lambert.net, 2008; soundtracks, sculptures including My Most Memorable Feature, (Red, White, Blue, Green, Yellow), 2009 and Weeping Monolith, 2008; neon signs including The True Artist Makes Useless Shit for Rich People to Buy, 2008; As Long As I Can Love You, 2005. Videos include Confirmation, 2003 and What Happened, 2000. C-prints, and the performance based installation What a Tree Feels Like, 2008.
Also featured in the exhibition is a 2008 series of works In Your Own Image that is comprised of 134 postcards, all with the same image of the artist. The headshot portrays the artist without hair, and includes instructions inviting the public to "complete" the image of the artists by adding elements (such as hair, clothing, accessories, makeup-up) using any media they prefer. These were postage paid cards that were left in shops, cafes, and bars throughout Paris in 2008, that were mailed back the artist.
Rodriguezs work has been shown regularly during Art Basel Miami Beach, and recent projects include: A Wall I Built With My Father and A Meal I Made With My Mother, two site-specific installations for Le Plateau, FRAC Ile de France Paris (2008); and In the Beginning
for the Whitney Biennial, New York (2008).
IN YOUR OWN IMAGE: The Best of Burt Rodriguez-Greatest Hits Vol. I is on view to the public in the Henri and Flore Lesieur Pavilion and the Kaiser and Kosh Gallery through June 14, 2009.