In 1991, a year after its debut in the United States Pavilion at the 44th Venice Biennale in Italy, Jenny Holzer: The Venice Installation was on view at the Albright-Knox. The exhibition included a number of works from the Biennale installation—which was organized by Albright-Knox Chief Curator Michael Auping—as well as several new works designed for the museum.
The medium of Holzer's art is language, and she uses a variety of formats to convey her messages. Holzer's texts were inscribed on Italian marble tile floors and stonework benches as well as on a series of light-emitting diode (LED) signs, the electronic message boards for which she is best known.
Guests at the Members' Preview for Jenny Holzer: The Venice Installation on July 12, 1991. Photograph by Tom Loonan.
Guests at the Members' Preview for Jenny Holzer: The Venice Installation on July 12, 1991. Photograph by Tom Loonan.
Jenny Holzer (right) with former Albright-Knox Chief Curator Michael Auping at the Members' Preview for Jenny Holzer: The Venice Installation on July 12, 1991. Photograph by Tom Loonan.
This exhibition also coincided with the announcement of a major commission and acquisition of Holzer's work for the Albright-Knox: A series of four marble benches, designed with modified neo-classical moldings and inscribed with a special survey of Holzer's texts. Placed as public seating in the Sculpture Court, these benches were part of the exhibition and have remained on view since that time.
