Beginning in late spring, the gallery space of Morton Street Partners has been operating as a dissection lab for a 1987 Porsche 911. Art is the Process is the exhibition/demonstration of Queens, NY-based artist Greg Anagnostopoulos who has been disassembling and reassembling the Porsche that will become a feature in a Daniel Arsham show in the fall of 2023.
The car rolled in with original black on black paint and was systematically taken apart by Anagnostopoulos and other invitees like Arsham. A large peg board spanning the main gallery wall serves to present components of the 911 as individual pieces of functional sculpture. Elsewhere in the workspace area, replacement and restored parts are carefully knolled out on tables awaiting reassembly.
What isn’t immediately visible is a copy of the 911 Haynes repair manual. Anagnostopoulos told me he has enough experience rebuilding Porsches to go from memory. That’s part of the two levels of this show. There’s the chance to see the inner workings of arguably one of the greatest examples of automotive design on display. And the human connection that fits all these bits together to make a functional piece of sculpture.
Photos and Text: Dave Pinter
Additional Description: Morton Street Partners
Full Description
“Art is the Process is an exploration of the interconnectivity between art, design, and technology, presenting a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the often unseen processes that create and define the world around us. Morton Street Partners is proud to present this innovative exhibition featuring Greg Anagnostopoulos, Daniel Arsham, and invited guests, as they dismantle and reassemble a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2.
The performance unfolds over three months, offering an unmediated viewing experience that delves into the art of disassembly and assembly. By shedding light on the hidden aspects of creative and technological processes, “Art is the Process” challenges the traditional perception of art and invites viewers to reconsider the value of the process itself.
Automobiles, often considered for their aesthetic qualities, are revealed as intricate systems of infrastructure, akin to cities with their own networks of electric lines, water pipes, oil, heat, and fuel. This exhibition posits that the beauty of automobiles extends beyond their form, and that the process of their construction, repair, failure, and reconstruction is equally worthy of appreciation.
Greg Anagnostopoulos, a self-taught artist hailing from Queens, New York, embraces automobiles as a medium for his mechanical process. With a focus on Porsche, he approaches the act of disassembling and reassembling cars as an almost monastic ritual, celebrating intentionality, patience, and dedication.
As the 1987 Porsche 911 is deconstructed, its components will be displayed on the gallery walls, transforming the space into an archaeological exhibit of sorts. The natural history of the Porsche Carrera 3.2 is laid bare for the viewer, exposing the intricacies of its inner workings and the relationships between its parts.
“Art is the Process” invites viewers to not only observe but to engage with the process, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the connections between art, design, and technology. We hope this exhibition encourages a reevaluation of the boundaries of artistic practice and sparks new conversations on the importance of process in the creation of beauty.
