ZURICH.- Galerie Elisabeth Kaufmann presents the first collaboration show of James Hyde & Barney Kulok at our gallery. The Show 'Seeing Double' combines the paintings of James Hyde with the photographic work of Barney Kulok.

James Hyde was born in 1958 in Philadelphia. He lives and works in Brooklyn. He received his education at the University of Rochester and since then has been involved in numerous international exhibitions and several curatorial projects. His works are part of important public and private collections.

Hyde deals with the question of space and materiality. Through his eyes everything becomes painting. He uses walls, rugs, tables, chairs, doorknobs, scraps of paper, glass and photographs for canvas, which he, alongside paint, partially covers with diverse materials like latex, vinyl, cement, Styrofoam, plastic, silk, velvet, glass or paper. By transcending stylistic conventions, an unpredictable and therefore astonishing impression instantaneously catches the eye of the viewer. In the exhibit 'Seeing Double' Hyde applies color, painted wood, paper and sand onto digital prints. By doing so, he brings a new attitude to materials and to the handling of images.

Barney Kulok was born in New York City in 1981, where he now lives and works. He studied at the Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, and was awarded the Manhattan Community Arts Fund Grant (MCAF) in 2002.

Kulok, who also investigates the medium film and makes video installations, changes between color and black-and-white photographs, as well as between C-Prints and light boxes.

In the exhibition 'Seeing Double', he shows five completely different photographs and a light box. By cutting the scenes of everyday banalities and leaving out descriptive contexts Kulok cracks commonplaces. By doing so, the photographs receive a clear and intense refinement which offers a canny richness.

Photography is the link between the two artists. While Kulok explores the medium in a traditional way, Hyde uses photography and digital prints as a first image layer and canvas. Both artists focus on the issue of leaving out information and exposing the viewer to a gripping uncertainty.

Denise Frey - The opening takes place on Friday, January 11, 2008, from 6-8 pm. We are looking forward to welcoming you! The artists will be present. Books and catalogues are available at the gallery.