Mark Dion's "Curiosity Shop"


Summary

Mark Dian, a visual artist, curated the Curiosity Shop exhibit at Frederick Meyer Gardens and Sculpture Park, featuring a diverse collection of objects from around the world. Dian spent over two years collecting items from various locations, aiming to infuse the shop with meaning through its eclectic assortment. Drawing inspiration from 18th-century garden follies, the exhibit invites visitors to explore a landscape rich in material culture, breaking away from traditional building norms to emphasize pleasure over functionality.


Introduction to Curiosity Shop Exhibit

Mark Dian, a visual artist from New York, discusses the Curiosity Shop exhibit at Frederick Meyer Gardens and Sculpture Park, showcasing thousands of objects collected from around the world.

Collection from Various Places

Dian collected objects from Istanbul, St. Paulo, flea markets in France, and Germany over a period of two and a half to three years, aiming to create meaning through the diverse collection.

Making Meaning through Diverse Collection

The collection is meant to create meaning in a shop that lacks specificity but is filled with a variety of wonderful items, inviting visitors to explore the landscape of material culture.

Inspiration from Follies and Gardens

Dian draws inspiration from the tradition of follies in 18th-century gardens, where structures were built for pleasure rather than functionality, breaking away from the aristocratic building traditions.

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