THE SHAFT

The Shaft is a collaborative artistic/curatorial project by Lauren Ruth and Maiza Hixson

Founded as a gallery-as-work-of-art in a dilapidated warehouse elevator, The Shaft stages performative interventions that query the conventions of contemporary social ritual and curatorial/artistic practice by occupying borderless, creative territories. Often taking place in public spaces, these performances engage with passersby and facilitate organic exchange between artist and viewer. Most recently, The Shaft performed as nontraditional matchmakers and wedding planners to officiate marriage ceremonies for any and all visitors. The Shaft’s free romantic service offers a feminist critique of monogamy and matrimony under capitalism and uses humor to initiate a dialogue about wealth, class, sexual orientation, and gender.

For additional documentation and video visit:

www.theshaftspace.com

Romantic Dinner for Thirty & Total Wedding Package, 2013

Performance documentation

The Shaft performed a romantic dinner for thirty and a free total wedding package during its October residency at Cannonball in Miami, FL.

HIGHER LOVE, 2013

Performance documentation

Part of Experiment #23b with the Institute for Psychogeographic Adventure

The Shaft performed a series of group weddings to elevated consciousness in the freight elevator of the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

A Wedding Package, 2013

Performance documentation

The Shaft officiated over 19 public commitment ceremonies at the Koban Project space, located in a defunct police kiosk next to the Baltimore train station. 

Intensive Six-Week Curatorial Training School for Artists, 2012

Gallery as school as work of art

The Shaft built a free, open-air curatorial school for artists at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Supplies included a white cube gallery start up kit and curatorial curriculum.

White Cube Getaway, 2012

Single channel video

The Shaft advertised its new location on Philadelphia's main thoroughfare. 

On Pulse SPECIAL REPORT: SHAFTED, 2012

Single channel video

Shaftvision reporter Katie Cooper goes deep into the heart of controversy surrounding the global green energy company Sustainable Shaft and its new energy drink, SPASM.

Sustainable Shaft: Need a LIFT?, 2012

Corporate community outreach event and protest

The Shaft endeavored to sustain itself as a green energy company. As curators talking out of both sides of our mouths, The Shaft posed as both CEOs and protestors of Sustainable Shaft, Inc.

The Shaft Giveth, 2012

Closing as opening as work of art

Performance documentation

As an intimate, rent-free elevator gallery responding to complaints and concerns, The Shaft performed a temporary closure, disappearing before the opening of the exhibition.

Le Shaft: Now Accepting Reservations, 2012

Pop-up French restaurant

Performance documentation

The Shaft parodied itself as an exclusive French bistro. Establishing rapport with the visitor, the curatorial menu offered food for thought, including the subtext that The Shaft was attempting to seduce the visitor.

Pre-Vaporism, 2012

(Art) Movement in The Shaft

Performance documentation

Entertaining metaphors of movement, The Shaft introduced Pre-Vaporism, a manifesto calling for the end of art objects with a theoretical dance party. 

SHAFTING, 2011

Gallery opening as work of art

Performance documentation

For The Shaft's inaugural exhibition, Hixson and Ruth transformed a Philadelphia warehouse elevator into a pristine white cube gallery called The Shaft as a convivial act of subversion.