REVOLUTION PIPE BOMB

Lisa Kirk and Jelena Behrend

Limited edition fragrance vessel, 2008

Edition of 3 (3AP), platinum

priced according to market

Edition of 5 (3AP), 14K gold

priced according to market

Edition of 20 (3AP), sterling silver

priced according to market

 

In March 2008, PARTICIPANT INC introduced Revolution Pipe Bomb, a collaborative limited edition by artists Lisa Kirk and Jelena Behrend, produced exclusively by PARTICIPANT INC. The launch comprised a scripted environment to unveil this ongoing project. Fashioned in sterling silver, 14k gold, and platinum, Revolution Pipe Bomb is a hand crafted precious metal decanter designed for this special edition of the fragrance, Revolution.

 

Conceived as the end result of several years of research and related works by Kirk that address the marketing of transgressive practices,Revolution Pipe Bomb is a luxury fragrance, produced in collaboration with Symrise Perfumers. Awarded the prestigious 2008 American Society of Perfumers Choice Awards for outstanding fragrance creations, Symrise is also the maker of COMME des GARÇONS, Odeur 53, which has been described as evoking “the absence of structure;” “an abstract anti-perfume [… that deploys the] latest technology to clone odors from inorganic materials. Smells never before used, with no precise name, only abstract ideas.”

 

Through research gathered from interviews with anonymous journalists, activists, and political radicals, Kirk developed the Revolution fragrance based on their memories of the smell of revolution. The final solution contains the odor of smoke, gasoline, tear gas, burnt rubber, and decaying flesh.

 

For this special limited edition, Kirk joined with artist and jeweler, Jelena Behrend (Jelena Behrend Studio, NY), to imagine a precious metal pipe bomb to contain a vile of this faintly aggressive fragrance. Elevating a makeshift device to a highly valued commodity, this bold and meticulously sculpted object, removed from the register of everyday violence, is held in reserve for the smell of Revolution.

 

Samples and related packaging are featured in a sculptural display unit, also reminiscent of Kirk's smoking Revolution perfume laboratory, installed upside down at PS1 Contemporary Art Center, a MoMA Affiliate (organized by Curatorial Advisor, Lia Gangitano, fall 2008). Related "marketing items," including a silk-screened bandana (to be worn as face mask) depicting an exploded view of the Revolution Pipe Bomb, as well as photographic elements derived from the project, have been distributed by PARTICIPANT INC. Revolution Pipe Bomb, by Lisa Kirk and Jelena Behrend, was featured in Kirk’s exhibition, House of Cards atInvisible Exports, NY, February 20 – March 29, 2009.

 

Jelena Behrendwas born in Belgrade, Serbia. She moved to the United States in 1988 and apprenticed for Hungarian master jeweler Gabor Nagy in Los Angeles. In 1994, she opened her own jewelry studio in LA. Her edgy, meticulously sculpted works of art have been featured in numerous magazines, movies, music videos, and have amassed an impressive list of celebrity enthusiasts including Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, Queen Nor, Jennifer Lopez, Emma Thompson, Pink, Iman, Hillary Clinton, Courtney Cox, and Drew Barrymore. In 1996, Behrend headed to New York, working in her private studio downtown for clients such as Barney’s New York, Barney’s Beverly Hills, and Barney’s Tokyo. Two years later, she opened Jelena Behrend Studio on the Lower East Side. She has conceptualized and created collections for Donna Karan, Geraldine Laybourne and Oprah Winfrey, Neiman Marcus, and Kenneth Cole. Recent works have appeared on the covers of Numéro, Rolling Stone, and in the pages of the New York Times Style magazine, Vogue, and Interview.

 

Lisa Kirkreceived her BFA from the School of Visual Arts and her MFA from the University of California. Her solo exhibitions and projects have been held at PS1 Contemporary Art Center (a MoMA Affiliate); Galeria Comercial, Puerto Rico; Participant Inc, NY; and MOT International, London.  She also contributed to North Drive Press, NY; Creative Time, NY; and Charlie, NY.  Her curated projects include LEGION, Bonds of Love, The Outlaw Series, and You. Reviews include Artforum, L’uomo Vogue, Plan B, The Guardian, Time Out London/New York, The New York Times, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, and Art Review.

 

PARTICIPANT EDITIONS

Through the generosity of artists, PARTICIPANT INC co-produces limited edition artworks specifically intended to support the organization. 1/3 of the purchase of this edition is tax-deductible, and contributes directly to our program. Other PARTICIPANT editions include Lovett/Codagnone, Tony Oursler, Børre Sæthre, and Shellburne Thurber.

 

Photo credit: Jelena Behrend Studio, NY

PARTICIPANT INC's exhibitions are made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

 

This program is supported, in part, by funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

 

PARTICIPANT INC receives generous support from the Harriett Ames Charitable Trust, Bloomberg, Brown Foundation Inc. of Houston, Foundation 20 21, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Peter Norton Family Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and numerous individuals.

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