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Aspen Mays
Concentrate and Ask Again
June 19 - August 2, 2009

Aspen Mays' most recent work addresses the human capacity to experience wonder and describe all that is mysterious. Utilizing humor, Mays approaches profound questions of existence from the perspective of an amateur and non-scientist. This approach allows her to access a common desire to understand concepts that may feel outside of the grasp of the scientifically untrained. Mays' body of work utilizes a wide range of photographic techniques from photogram and experimental light sources, to performance documentation, sculpture made specifically for the camera, high-res scans, and video. Mays' practice is one built around and engaged with photographic image making and nurtured by experimentation as both a methodology and a subject matter, but it is most engaged in a conversation about the fantasy of meaning and transcendence in the ordinary and prosaic.


Press release (pdf)
Mays CV (pdf)

Aspen Mays, Every Leaf on a Tree.
Aspen Mays at Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, 2010.
James Yood, Artforum, 2009.
Alicia Eler, Art Papers, 2009.
Michael Weinstein, Newcity Art, 2009.

Aspen Mays, Untitled (Fireflies inside the body of my camera, 8:37-8:39PM, June 26, 2008), 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 26 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Untitled (Fireflies inside the body of my camera, 8:37-8:39PM, June 26, 2008), 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 26 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Dissection of a Magic 8 Ball, 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 32 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Dissection of a Magic 8 Ball, 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 32 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, The Future of the Future (Spaceman), 2009, Archival inkjet print, 53 x 69 inches, Edition of 3.

Aspen Mays, The Future of the Future (Spaceman), 2009, Archival inkjet print, 53 x 69 inches, Edition of 3.

Aspen Mays, Boom!, 2009, Archival inkjet print, 22 x 15 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Boom!, 2009, Archival inkjet print, 22 x 15 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Boom! (detail), 2009, Archival inkjet print, 22 x 15 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Boom! (detail), 2009, Archival inkjet print, 22 x 15 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, 1%, 2008, Chromogenic photogram from TV static, 20 x 24 inches.

Aspen Mays, 1%, 2008, Chromogenic photogram from TV static, 20 x 24 inches, Unique.

Apsen Mays, Map of the World (after Buckminster Fuller), 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 19 inches, Edition of 8.

Apsen Mays, Map of the World (after Buckminster Fuller), 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 19 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Why haven't we seen a photograph of the whole Universe yet?, 2009, 1.5 inch buttons, Unlimited edition.

Aspen Mays, Why haven't we seen a photograph of the whole Universe yet?, 2009, 1.5 inch buttons, Unlimited edition.

Aspen Mays, Stills from the video Larry, 2008, Digital video, 7 min 56 sec loop, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Stills from the video Larry, 2008, Digital video, 7 min 56 sec loop, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Lawnchair from the video Larry, 2008, Metal wire, plastic mesh, hot glue, fishing line, tape, party balloons, 1.5 x 1.5 x 2 inches.

Aspen Mays, Lawnchair from the video Larry, 2008, Metal wire, plastic mesh, hot glue, fishing line, tape, party balloons, 1.5 x 1.5 x 2 inches.

Aspen Mays, 1%, 2009, Chromogenic photogram from TV static, 10 x 8 inches, Special edition of 25.

Aspen Mays, 1%, 2009, Chromogenic photogram from TV static, 10 x 8 inches, Special edition of 25.

Aspen Mays, Woodstock (3 min 52 sec, CSN&Y)

Aspen Mays, Woodstock (3 min 52 sec, CSN&Y) "We are stardust, we are golden…", 2008, Archival inkjet print, 40 x 27 inches, Edition of 8.

Aspen Mays, Untitled (Fireflies inside the body of my camera, 8:37-8:39PM, June 26, 2008), 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 26 inches, Edition of 8.Aspen Mays, Dissection of a Magic 8 Ball, 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 32 inches, Edition of 8.Aspen Mays, The Future of the Future (Spaceman), 2009, Archival inkjet print, 53 x 69 inches, Edition of 3.Aspen Mays, Boom!, 2009, Archival inkjet print, 22 x 15 inches, Edition of 8.Aspen Mays, Boom! (detail), 2009, Archival inkjet print, 22 x 15 inches, Edition of 8.Aspen Mays, 1%, 2008, Chromogenic photogram from TV static, 20 x 24 inches.Apsen Mays, Map of the World (after Buckminster Fuller), 2008, Archival inkjet print, 32 x 19 inches, Edition of 8.Aspen Mays, Why haven't we seen a photograph of the whole Universe yet?, 2009, 1.5 inch buttons, Unlimited edition.Aspen Mays, Stills from the video Larry, 2008, Digital video, 7 min 56 sec loop, Edition of 8.Aspen Mays, Lawnchair from the video Larry, 2008, Metal wire, plastic mesh, hot glue, fishing line, tape, party balloons, 1.5 x 1.5 x 2 inches.Aspen Mays, 1%, 2009, Chromogenic photogram from TV static, 10 x 8 inches, Special edition of 25.Aspen Mays, Woodstock (3 min 52 sec, CSN&Y) "We are stardust, we are golden…", 2008, Archival inkjet print, 40 x 27 inches, Edition of 8.