FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE INVISIBLE DOG: Something Out of Nothing Curated by Manon Slome, Asher Remy-Toledo and Julia Draganovic with Tara de la Garza and Julian Navarro The Invisible Dog 51 Bergen St. Brooklyn NY 10201 When Press Preview: October 1, 12pm – 2pm General Opening: October 3, 6pm – 9pm

Beware: “The Invisible Dog“ is unleashed this Saturday, October 3rd!  The latest group exhibition produced by No Longer Empty, “The Invisible Dog” is a show “out of nothing” in a warmly decrepit out-of-use belt factory on Bergen Street in Brooklyn.
 
Following the tails of the Improv Everywhere stunt last week, the show presents a multitude of site-specific works reflecting both the history of the space and the profound beauty of the Invisible Dog.   A rift on the 70’s gag, it’s a void object waiting for creative minds and hands to bring it to life.
 
Here in the factory, artists grabbed the many trimmings, reels of fabric, leather and other materials and transformed them into something new.   The artist duo Steven and William created a “chandelier” of abandoned belt buckles.  Guerra del la Paz amassed tons of discarded clothing, one color at a time.  Here, la Paz’s “trashy” tribute becomes an imposing, yurt-shaped spectral prism.  In the neighborhood spirit, Tom Sanford brings Jonathan Lethem’s novel “Motherless Brooklyn”-- which takes place on this block, to life via a fantastic, larger than life mural.  Even the freight elevator is transformed: here, Giuseppe Stampone takes us on a trip from Hell to Heaven al Dante.
 
 
The Invisible Dog, 51 Bergen St, Brooklyn ( f / g train to Bergen Street )
Festive Opening: October 3rd, 6-9pm.   The exhibition is free and open to the public through October 31st.  Hours: Thursday/Friday 2-8 pm and Saturday/Sunday: 12-8 pm.  The show is curated by Manon Slome, Asher Remy-Toledo and Julia Draganovic, with Tara de la Garza and Julian Navarro.
 
Participating artists: Thomas Bell, Ryan Brennan, Amanda Browder, Rosane Chamecki, Andrea Lerner & Phil Harder, Gina Czarnecki, Jeanette Doyle, Steve DeFrank, Richard Garet, Guerra de la Paz (Alain Guerra & Neraldo de la Paz), Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Kaarina Kaikkonen, Giles Lyon, Sara Modiano, Miguel Palma, José Parlá, Rey Parlá, Ian Rawlinson & Nick Crowe, Tom Sanford, Keith Schweitzer, Francesco Simeti, Alfred Stein­er, Giuseppe Stampone.
 
NO LONGER EMPTY transforms vacant spaces into public art exhibitions.  As a response to the economic crisis, the organization revitalizes emptiness by filling the sites with positive energy and works of art.  The organization hopes to stimulate local communities through worthwhile exhibitions, and by drawing flows of visitors to each neighborhood for these programs.
 
For more information, including the schedule of upcoming band nights, conversations and other events: please see www.nolongerempty.org or contact Manon Slome at 917-916 9580 or info@nolongerempty.org 

The Invisible Dog - a short history.

The factory at 51 Bergen Street was built in the late 1800’s. Over the years it has been used for various things, including manufacturing, storage and parking. 51 Bergen Street was purchased in the 1970’s by one Mr. George Zorbas, who was a former US Army Air Corp pilot during WW II. After the war, he started his own jewelry and clothing business and eventually he owned several factories in downtown Brooklyn. After purchasing the building at 51 Bergen Street, he consolidated his business there and made costume jewelry, belts, necklaces, small clothing items and a well known children’s item called the “Invisible Dog.” At the peak of production, this factory operated 24 hours per day with three shifts and employed 150 workers. By the early-mid 1990’s, it became very difficult for this business to compete with low cost manufacturing in places like China and Mexico, so the business slowly dwindled. For the last 10 years, the main product manufactured at 51 Bergen Street was the “Invisible Dog,” and this product was sold to places such as Six Flags Amusement Park and to Disneyland. After Mr. Zorbas died in 1994 the building was sold to its present owners in 2007. In December 2008, Lucien Zayan, a native of Paris, discovered the Invisible Dog Factory and decided to transform it as an Arts Center. The ground floor will be the main space for events, exhibitions, performances and concerts. The Second Floor will be artists' studios and 9 artists have already moved in.The Third Floor will be a rental space for all kind of artistic events.

131 West 24th Street | New York NY 10011 | info@nolongerempty.org