do it (home)

In 1993, Hans Ulrich Obrist together with artists Christian Boltanski and Bertrand Lavier, conceived do it, an exhibition based entirely on artists’ instructions, which could be followed to create temporary art works for the duration of a show. do it has challenged traditional exhibition formats, questioned authorship, and championed art’s ability to exist beyond a single gallery space. Since do it began, many new versions have appeared, including do it (museum), do it (tv), and do it (in school). Over time, do it has grown from 12 to over 400 sets of artists’ instructions, and has been shown in more than 150 art spaces in over 15 countries.

Reykjavik Art Museum was one of the first spaces to host a do it exhibition, but Hans Ulrich Obrist, in his thirties, already a saught after curator, came to the Iceland and curated the exhibition that opened at Reykjavik Art Museum - Kjarvalsstaðir in 1996. For the exhibition a catalogue was published with instructions for do it (museum), do it (home) and screen shots from do it (tv). do it (tv) was screened on RÚV (National Broadcasting Service) and do it (home) appeared in the newspaper Morgunblaðið. More information on the exhibition in 1996 can be found HERE.

As many around the world are experiencing social distancing and orders to stay at home, Reykjavik Art Museum is joining Independent Curators International (ICI) and over 30 art spaces around the world in sharing do it (home). A version of do it envisioned by Obrist in 1995, do it (home) assembles a set of artists instructions that can easily be realized in one’s own home. 

To Obrist, “do it has always been global and local, public and private — spheres of life that for many have coalesced in recent months.” do it (home) will take you away from your screens, and recreate an art experience at home. You will respond to the artists’ call, follow their lead, enter their world, and realize an artwork on their behalf. When you’re ready to return to the screen, share that you did it! Make connections with other doers on Instagram, #doithome

Click here to view and download all do it (home) instructions!

Artists Include: Etel Adnan, Sophia Al Maria, Uri Aran, Arca, Nairy Baghramian, Christian Boltanski, Meriem Bennani, Geta Bratescu, Critical Art Ensemble, Jimmie Durham, Torkwase Dyson, Tracey Emin, Simone Forti, Liam Gillick, Joseph Grigely, Shilpa Gupta, Koo Jeong-A, David Lamelas, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Lucy R. Lippard, Cildo Meireles, Jonas Mekas, Albert Oehlen, Precious Okoyomon, Füsun Onur, Christodoulos Panayiotou, Philippe Parreno, Thao Nguyen Phan, Marjetica Potrč, Raqs Media Collective, Pascale Marthine Tayou, and Carrie Mae Weems.

do it (home) is curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and produced by Independent Curators International (ICI), New York. do it (home) is made available to art spaces internationally free of charge, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, with the support of ICI’s Board of Trustees, contributors to ICI’s Access Fund, and the Jeanne and Dennis Masel Foundation.