White Flag Projects
P.G.S. (“Provincial Gallery Simulator”)
(February 1 - 17, 2008)

As the inaugural occupant, White Flag Projects will stage a pointed critique of the commercial gallery system within the Front Room walls, operating an ersatz gallery that offers insult and abuse as its only services. Willing patrons are photographed receiving a smack in the face and are then offered the opportunity to purchase a print of the moment the gallery attendant’s hand makes contact with his or her face. Gallery “goers” may be slapped free of charge, while “collectors” may pay to have a print made as a souvenir of the assault. “Important collectors” may attempt to negotiate discounts for large purchases of multiple slaps.

Image credit: White Flags Projects, The Front Room, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 2008. Photo by David Ulmer.

General support for the Contemporary’s exhibitions program is generously provided by the Whitaker Foundation; The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; William E. Weiss Foundation; Regional Arts Commission; Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; Arts and Education Council; Nancy Reynolds and Dwyer Brown; and members of the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis.