Lot
40
Untitled 12
Neon tubing, transformer, 2018
47,6 x 22,2 x 22,2 cm
Estimate
$1 600
Frott age is a neon sign that describes an era of continual contact (with news, ideas, words) that is “fraught” (with conflict, emotional upheaval, and sometimes despair). The term “frottage” describes a form of drawing that involves taking a rubbing from textured surfaces. “Frottage” is also a methodology of affect coined by the artist to describe a frank approach to emotional attachments in scholarly work. Finally, “frottage” is a highly stigmatized erotic act. This artwork can be considered a sequel to the earlier neon work Text mess age.
Biographical note
Mark Clintberg is an artist who works in the field of art history. He is an assistant professor in the School of Critical and Creative Studies at the Alberta College of Art and Design. In his work, he often explores the materiality of text to create environments and situations that respond to antecedent artworks, architectures, and archives. Public and private collections across Canada and in the United States have acquired his work, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the BMO Financial Group Collection, TD Bank Group Collection, the National Bank of Canada, the Edmonton Arts Council, and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. He was shortlisted for the Sobey Art Award in 2013.