The Church in Sag Harbor, in collaboration with The Flag Art Foundation, presents its 2023 summer exhibition “Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists On Boxing.” The exhibit will be on display June 24, with an opening from 6 to 7:30 PM, and will run through September 4.
“Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing” explores boxing as both theme and metaphor, evoking complex and multifaceted cultural meanings. Developed in tandem and curated independently, the two exhibitions feature over 100 works, including historical and contemporary pieces as well as newly commissioned work for the shows.
At The Church, “Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing” is co-curated by Co-Founder Eric Fischl and Chief Curator Sara Cochran. The exhibition underscores boxing’s expansive place in human life and the varied ways it is perceived by a diverse array of artists. It is shorthand for the existential question “what is worth fighting for?” and themes of struggle, defiance, victory, martyrdom, and brutality. Contemporary work particularly questions its traditional symbolism of masculinity by challenging male domination of the sport, and brings up issues of race, poverty, and violence.
When reflecting on the exhibition, Co-Curator Eric Fischl, stated “This show is a sermon about the belief and value we put on the struggle to be, to live, to understand, to love, to try, and to never give up. I believe everyone walking through our door holds these values to be true and will recognize and appreciate all the creative ways artists have found to deal with the monumentality of meaningful living.”
“Strike Fast Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing” highlights iconic and compelling works that hold up a mirror to us, showing versions of ourselves that both inspire and challenge us. As Sara Cochran said, “The boxer is a figure caught alone in the crosshairs of choice and fate in a moment that can change everything. Perhaps this is why the boxer is a poignant metaphor for our turbulent and uncertain times.”
Extensive public programming will accompany the exhibitions. In addition to the programs at The Church, the Sag Harbor Cinema is curating a series of boxing-related films in conjunction with the exhibition.
Artists featured include Derrick Adams, Zoë Buckman, Jim Campbell, Cassils, Carroll Dunham, Fab 5 Freddy, Jules Feiffer, Eric Fischl, Barry Flanagan, Jeffrey Gibson, Ralph Gibson, Michael Halsband, Lyle Ashton Harris, Lonnie Holley, Judith Hudson, Rashid Johnson, Howard Kanowitz, Martin Kippenberger, Ansel Krut, Stephen Laub, Glenn Ligon, An Te Liu, Robert Mapplethorpe, Delilah Montoya, LeRoy Neiman, Ed Paschke, David Rathman, Deborah Roberts, Ellington Robinson, Carlos Rolón, Rozeal, Alison Saar, David Seltzer, Gary Simmons, Charles Waller, Carrie Mae Weems, Darius Yektai, Joe Zucker, and others.