FRANCIS ALYS

ENGLISH TEXT

Survey by Cuauhtémoc Medina, Interview by Russell Ferguson, Focus by Jean Fisher, Artist's Choice by Augusto Monterroso, Writings by Francis Alÿs
The work of Francis Alÿs (b.1959) blurs the boundaries between the artist and the subject
This is the first comprehensive monograph on the artist's diverse body of work
He employs a range of media – including painting, video, and other more unorthodox materials – in innovative takes on observation, participation and performance
Alÿs's work stems from his interest in the powera that shape urban existence, as well as the innovative schemes that ordinary individuals devise to subvert them
Alÿs invents his own fables, weaving them into the social fabric of such cities as Venice, London and Mexico City, his home for nearly 20 years
Alÿs's work has been included in the world's top international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale (2001), the Carnegie International (2004) and the São Paulo Biennial (2004)

Cuauhtémoc Medina is Associate Curator of Latin American Art Collections for Tate, London.
Jean Fisher teaches at Department of Fine Art, Middlesex University, London.
Russell Ferguson is Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Programs and Chief Curator at the Hammer Museum, University of California, Los Angeles.