THE CANTEEN READING ROOM
James J. Williams III founded a social club ‘Canteen,’ which is the artist’s take on the traditional gentlemen’s clubs from London of the late 19th century that were members-only private clubs, of a type set up by and for English upper class men.
As with the traditional clubs, the artist’s club is formed by groups of acquaintances who share some interest or pursuit. In this case ‘art.’
The connection between the members of the club is the membership of the same gallery (envoy enterprises) much as in the past members of such clubs used to belong to the same branch of the armed forces or had a background at the same university.
Anyone with a credible claim to the status of ‘gentleman’ is admitted to the club.
Members (Pulse visitors) of ‘Canteen’ are invited to take a seat in the salon and spend time enjoying and reading the books in the library.
The installation shows the reading room of the ‘Canteen’ social club. True to form, Canteen is a ‘second home’ where members can relax, mix with their friends, enjoy the art on the walls (by Alex Rose and James J. Williams III) and go thru Canteen’s library, filled with artist’s books (made by Rose and Williams as well as by fellow artists.)
PULSE Miami
The SOHO BUILDING
2136 NW 1st Avenue @ NW 21st Street
Tuesday 2 December 2008 through Sunday 7 December 2008
Private Preview: Tuesday 2 December from 5-10 PM
Show Hours: Tuesday 2 December from 5-10 PM
Wednesday 3 December from 10-3 PM
Thursday 4 December from 10-6 PM
Friday 5 December from 10-6 PM
Saturday 6 December from 10-6 PM
Sunday 7 December from 10-5 PM
