That was then, this is now

November 6 - December 21, 2021

Opening Reception:
Saturday, November 6, 2021
5:00 - 8:00pm

signs and symbols is pleased to present That was then, this is now — a group show of the gallery’s artists as the first exhibition to inaugurate our new location at 249 East Houston Street. A celebration of our growth and development over the past three years, participating artists include Adam Broomberg, Annabel Daou, Benoît Platéus, Carol Szymanski, Jen DeNike, Jonah Bokaer, Michelle Handelman, Mischa Leinkauf, Ornella Fieres, Paul Jacobsen, Pola Sieverding, Rachel Libeskind, Sarah Entwistle, Sharon Louden, Shaqayeq Arabi, Tony Orrico and Zander Blom.

We are especially thrilled to announce the resumption of our live performance program, beginning with a very special performance, Thank You by interdisciplinary artist and choreographer Jonah Bokaer on the day of the inaugural opening. Performance is at the heart of signs and symbols, and we could not be happier to (safely) return to this essential aspect of our programming.

That was then, this is now presents new works by our artists with forthcoming solo exhibitions. The title of the exhibition is borrowed from and gifted by artist Annabel Daou, an emblematic phrase that reflects on the connections and contrasts between the past and the present. Each artist’s work and practice has been integral to the gallery’s evolution and vision, and together these artists configure the living history of signs and symbols. The exhibition thus presents an opportunity to survey the gallery’s forthcoming program and simultaneously to celebrate the signs and symbols collective, with some of its strongest voices together in a physical space once again.

As part of this exhibition’s programming, on Saturday, November 13th from 4 to 6pm, we will host a book launch and signing for Jen DeNike’s newest publication, Sculpting Time. Co-published by signs and symbols and FELD + HAUS, Sculpting Time is the first volume in a series of two books that translate DeNike's latest body of work into book form.