Magnus Frederik Clausen and Brian Kennon with works by Finn Reinbothe
June 24 - July 28, 2024
For the inaugural show of 2nd Cannons new space in Los Angeles, an invitation to exhibit was extended to Danish artist Magnus Frederik Clausen. The subsequent conversation between Clausen and Kennon led to this uncredited exhibition with its mostly self-explaining title. As a part of his contribution to the show, Clausen curated a selection of works by fellow Danish artist Finn Reinbothe.
My journey as an artist has been shaped by collaboration and experimentation across various mediums. From filmmaking to writing and painting, my artistic evolution has been a tapestry woven with the threads of diverse influences.
During a trip to Poland in 2011, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking publication titled Altered Secession Catalogue - Christopher Wool (Josh Smith). I was not familiar with the artists involved, but I was intrigued by the bold juxtaposition of images the book is based on. Little did I know that this was a work by Brian Kennon, published by 2nd Cannons, which repurposed the work of Wool and Smith without permission. It would influence my perception of artistic freedom. The ethos of repurposing and reimagining continued to resonate with me, culminating in the present exhibition alongside Brian Kennon at 2nd Cannons.
Brian Kennon's publication for this exhibition, Magnus Frederik Clausen Clock Paintings, is central to the exhibition. The book continues Kennon’s exploration of authorship and collaboration. Several pages are left blank by choice – something I imagine as being every publisher or designer's worst nightmare — but this blank space is where Brian reminds us of his presence, or authorship (if there is a difference between the two). Complementing the publication, Brian has framed gallery advertisements, taken from recent art magazines, of galleries who assert their presence through a list of artist’s names.
Inspired by Kennon's principles, my series, Imagine Brian Kennon, took shape—a whimsical homage to artistic identity and imagination. In a playful nod to Josh Smith's Signature Paintings—which, being featured in the Altered Secession Catalogue mentioned above, served as my introduction to Kennon’s work— I embraced the role of "Brian Kennon," signing canvases with his fictitious signature to evoke a sense of artistic camaraderie. The series embarks on a journey of self-discovery, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
While working on the series, Finn Reinbothe's work Untitled Words came to mind—a humorous critique of the art world's obsession with authorship and originality. Finn deftly navigates the fine line between homage and appropriation and shows how free an eye can be if we want it to see.
-Magnus Frederik Clausen