NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The FLAG Art Foundation is pleased to present "Size DOES Matter", curated by basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal. This exciting exhibition, on view from February 19, 2010 - May 27, 2010, includes works from international artists exploring the myriad ways that scale affects the perception of contemporary art.

Weighing 320 pounds and standing 7'1" atop his size 22 shoes, Shaq is one of the most dominant players ever to play in the NBA. Throughout his career, O'Neal has capitalized on his size and strength to overpower opponents for points and rebounds earning him nicknames such as Diesel and Superman. Now Shaq takes the opportunity to reflect on his size with an exhibition boasting works from microscopic to giant pieces that have the ability to dwarf and exaggerate everyone -- even Shaq himself.

The exhibition will include works in a variety of media that employ scale as a key component of their composition. Every work in the show was selected by Shaq himself or is being newly made at his request.

Artists in the exhibition will include:

    Maurizio Cattelan            Paul Pfeiffer
    Chuck Close                  Charles Ray
    Cathy de Monchaux            Ugo Rondinone
    Richard DuPont               Yinka Shonibare
    Joe Fig                      Ken Solomon
    Tom Friedman                 Tomoaki Suzuki
    Franz Gertsch                Robert Therrien
    Andreas Gursky               Jim Torok
    Tim Hawkinson                Mark Wagner
    Brian Jungen                 Corban Walker
    Jeff Koons                   Willard Wigan
    Dr. Lakra                    Kehinde Wiley
    Charles LeDray               Fred Wilson
    Ron Mueck                    Ivan Witenstein
    Evan Penny                    among others
    Richard Pettibone

A comprehensive catalogue with installation images as well as an essay by bestselling author and Cleveland native James Frey will accompany the exhibition. Frey is one of the most controversial and celebrated authors in the world. His three books have all been #1 national and international bestsellers, and his work is published in 35 languages. He has written extensively about art, and worked on projects with Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha, Damien Hirst and Richard Phillips, among others. His next book, The Final Testament of the Holy Bible, is due to be released on Easter in 2011.

Biography

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born March 6, 1972, in Newark, NJ. First gaining attention as High School Player of the Year in San Antonio, he then played at Louisiana State University. During his rookie season with the Orlando Magic, O'Neal finished in the top ten in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and shooting percentage. In 1996, he signed the biggest contract in NBA history with the LA Lakers; he then returned to Florida in 2005 to play for the Miami Heat, followed by the Phoenix Suns. Now he can be found playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After 14 years in the NBA, Shaq has an impressive list of accomplishments: a 13-time All-Star, a two-time All-Star MVP, a three-time NBA Finals MVP Award, he has now perfected the "drop step" move which has made him unstoppable.

Along with his NBA accomplishments, Shaq has written an autobiography, starred in his own television show, released a certified platinum album, received his B.S. from Louisiana State University, an M.B.A. from University of Phoenix, and is working toward a Ph.D. in Human Relations. Shaq has also maintained an interest in the workings of the police department and has become personally involved in law enforcement as reserve officer with the L.A. Port Police. Shaq appeared in several films including Blue Chips with Nick Nolte and the star vehicles Kazaam! and Steel, for both of which he also recorded the soundtrack albums. His recent reality television show Shaq Vs. features him competing against some of the greatest athletes at their own sports demonstrating yet again that traditional limits cannot contain him.

Shaq is that rare individual who is constantly looking to challenge himself and move outside his comfort zone. Now his creative thinking - which previously spurred him to success in a wide variety of fields - will be deployed at his first art exhibition, with him playing the role of curator and muse.

About The FLAG Art Foundation

The FLAG Art Foundation is an exhibition space for contemporary art. The program includes 3 to 5 independently-curated shows each year. Each consists of works by established and emerging international artists. FLAG is on the 9th and 10th floors of the Chelsea Arts Tower located in the heart of New York's art district on 25th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues.

FLAG is open to the public every Wednesday through Saturday 12pm to 5pm.

FLAG's objective is to present a venue in which visitors can view, contemplate, and be inspired by the artworks that curators will select and borrow from a variety of sources. FLAG also facilitates loans of contemporary artworks to museums around the world. An extensive database of available works is maintained and made available to curators via info@flagartfoundation.org.

Currently on view at FLAG is Floating a Boulder: Works by Felix Gonzalez-Torres and Jim Hodges, the first exhibition to focus on the works of Felix Gonzalez-Torres and Jim Hodges and the interrelations between the art and lives of these two prominent artists. Meditating upon both the intersection between the personal and the political, everyday life and the singular event, Gonzalez-Torres and Hodges worked across a variety of media to create works of conceptual rigor that nevertheless remained grounded in a sense of universal humanity. Both artists imbue everyday objects with emotions and experiences, inviting the viewer to activate and engage the work. The exhibition will be on view through January, 31 2010.

    Contact:    The FLAG Art Foundation
                545 West 25th Street
                New York, NY 10001
                info@flagartfoundation.org
                www.flagartfoundation.org

SOURCE The FLAG Art Foundation

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