Quiet Please

Quiet Please is an exhibition that examines the call and response relationship between artist and viewer using the sport as tennis as a metaphor to this exchange. Artists will include: Jennie Ottinger, George Pfau, Andrew Witrak and Samara Halperin. These four artists will make both individual and collaborative/competitive projects that use tennis as a way to comment on human psychology: presentation, elitism, communication, and catharsis. The show will incorporate events and installations designed for the Berkeley Art Center, and the two neighboring tennis courts at Live Oak Park.

Like many sports, there are myriad rules and customs that apply to the game of tennis. A distinct quality of match play is the on-court etiquette and ritual--a play of manners and class (or lack thereof). The history of the sport is significant in that, although it is possible to be played on public courts, it has an elitist reputation. Dating back to the 1860s tennis is an international sport that conjures up snotty clubs and white sweaters. there are comparisons to be drawn between the impenetrable art markets and country club memberships where tennis is often played.

Exhibition overview from museum website