December 1, 2003

Micah Lexier: All Numbers Are Equal and Other New Works

TrépanierBaer is delighted to announce the opening of an exhibition of new works by one of Canada’s best known conceptual artists, New York based Micah Lexier. The exhibition will feature work drawn from four different series produced over the last three years.
The centerpiece of the exhibition will be a new and third version of Lexier’s critically acclaimed series entitled, “All Numbers Are Equal”. This twenty-five foot long, waterjet-cut aluminum, wall-mounted sculpture consists of a three dimensional visual re-presentation of the numerals 1 through 9, which Lexier has calculated, and then altered to have – despite the naturally differing sizes of numbers – exactly the same surface area. With his magical reformulation of pythagorean logic, Lexier essentially renders the equation of difference null and void. Lexier’s transgression is a subtle alteration, which like so many of his projects, reflects his on-going interest in notions of equality and difference; ultimately, his implied humanism seeks to dispel notions of hierarchy.
Also during opening night,TrépanierBaer, under its popular label will release a new multiple by Micah Lexier entitled, “8-pc. Puzzle”. This witty multiple, in an edition of twenty-four, features a custom made box containing 3d puzzle pieces complete with a didactic image illustrating how to assemble the puzzle: despite appearances Lexier’s edition defies the inherent logic of the concept of an editioned series in that each puzzle is formulated to be unique.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Micah Lexier attended the University of Manitoba School of Art (BFA Honors, 1982), and Graduate Studies at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (MFA, 1984); after completing his Masters Degree in Nova Scotia, Lexier lived for many years in Toronto before moving to New York where he is currently represented by the Jack Shainman Gallery.
Micah Lexier has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally in group and solo exhibitions. His most recent exhibitions include Gallery 111, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Gitte Weise Gallery, Sydney, Australia; Hallways Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo,New York; Agnes Etherington Art Centre,Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario; Charles H. Scott Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia; Musee d’art Contemporain de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec; Barbican Art Gallery, London, England; Artedomani – Punta di Vista, Spoleta Italy; the Davis Museum, Wellesley,Massachusetts; Museum de Arte de Sao Paulo,Brazil. He has also produced several public commissions including works for Metropolitan Toronto’s City Hall; The Hamilton Public Library; The University of Calgary; and The National Trade Centre in Toronto.Micah Lexier’s work is also included in many private and public collections including The Vancouver Art Gallery,The Art Gallery of Ontario,The Jewish Museum, New York,The National Gallery of Canada, and The British Museum, London, England.