kurimanzutto presents Gabriel Kuri’s thank you hole RP01 (2014). This work explores materials as carriers of cultural meaning, repositioning everyday objects within the gallery space to question their function, value, and social significance. As part of a series of five stainless steel sculptures modeled after waste receptacles found in public spaces, the work also mimics the institutional signage of corporate environments. The polished steel surface, adorned with the universally recognized “Thank You” message, suggests an invitation for disposal; however, detached from its utilitarian purpose, it instead invites reflection, blurring the line between art and functional object.
Kuri’s practice draws from Arte Povera and minimalism, yet his work remains grounded in the contingencies of daily life. His materials—receipts, coins, insulation foam, and, in this case, the facades of trash bins—retain their status as signs, conveying information while maintaining their commercial and social value. The intersecting circles below the text resemble corporate logos, such as Mastercard’s, evoking notions of transaction, agreement, and exchange. Much like the polite phrases printed on receipts and shopping bags, thank you hole RP01 addresses the formalities of economic interactions, exposing the subtleties of routine consumer behavior.
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+info: karensofie@kurimanzutto.com
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Basel Social Club
Rittergasse 21-25
CH-4051 Basel
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