Curated by Susanne Ghez

Is an actor great because she or he makes us cry? Is it more of a challenge to play Helen Keller than, say, an ordinary housewife? Catherine Sullivan interrogates assumptions both social and theatrical about the presumed power of heroic characterizations. For her first solo show in a US institution, the Los Angeles–based Sullivan (who performs, writes, and directs her video and theatrical work) has come up with an ambitious hybrid project focused on the multichannel video Five Economies (Big Hunt/Little Hunt), 2002 (the title refers to models meant to produce specific effects in the performer). The exhibition, organized by Renaissance Society director Susanne Ghez, includes sculptural installations and features a number of live performances.

— Meghan Dailey