Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Less is More: The Poetics of Erasure

November 1 – December 12, 2008
SFU Gallery

Participating artists: Monica Aasprong, Andrea Actis, James Arthur, Oana Avasilichioaei, Derek Beaulieu, Jen Bervin, Rebecca Brown, Louis Cabr, Steve Collis, Jeff Derksen, Alexandra Dipple, Sarah Dowling, Jennifer Borges Foster, Jamie Hilder, Kristin Lucas, Michael Maranda/Parasitic Ventures Press, Erin Mouré, Tom Phillips, Kristina Lee Podesva, Angela Rawlings, Mary Ruefle, Susan Schuppli, Nick Thurston, Aaron Vidaver.

In a world where everyone is finally realizing the need to downsize, the SFU Gallery will host a show that is about poetically reducing the number of words in circulation, while creating new poetry in the process. Erasure is the act of removing—whether it is words, image elements, or things—from extant artifacts; what remains is not only more interesting, but does more with less.

Less Is More is an international group exhibition taking its cue from Tom Phillips's extraordinary ongoing erasure/painting project, A Humument. For the first time ever, all 390 pages of one version of that work will be shown, along with “erasure works” by 23 other artists and poets. The Capilano Review will publish a special issue on erasure on the occasion of this must-see exhibition.

The exhibition is accompanied by a 144-page book co-published as the exhibition catalogue and as an issue of The Capilano Review.

Curated by Bill Jeffries and Ariana Kelly.

Events

Panel Discussion: The Poetics and Politics of Erasure
Saturday, November 1, 2008, 2–3pm
AQ3003, lecture hall adjacent to SFU Gallery
Speakers: Derek Beaulieu, Clint Burnham, Kristina Lee Podesva, Nick Thurston.

Opening Reception and Book Launch
Saturday, November 1, 2008, 3–5pm
SFU Gallery Burnaby

Lunchtime Tours of the Exhibition
Wednesday, November 5, 12:05pm and 12:35pm
Thursday, November 6, 12:05pm and 12:35pm
Friday, November 7, 12:05pm and 12:35pm