HACKETT MILL - ARTHAUS - RATIO 3

SOMARTS - Z SPACE - FFDG - ROBERT BERMAN/E6

01.06.12

(with assistance from Anneliese Vobis, Kathryn Arnold, Mairead O'Connor and Neal Strickberger)



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Hackett Mill Gallery: Momentum of a Movement.

Artists: Joan Brown, Frank Lobdell, Manuel Neri and David Park, Richard Diebenkorn, Edward Corbett, James Budd Dixon, Edward Dugmore, Robert McChesney.

Comment by AB: in the 1950s and early 1960s, San Francisco Bay Area artists evolved their own distinct take on Abstract Expressionism, and their own distinct school known as Bay Area Figurative Art. Some cherry examples of both are on exhibit here.

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ArtHaus Gallery: Maxine Solomon - The space of in Between.

Review by Kathryn Arnold: Seems like everyone in San Francisco knows Maxine Solomon and her art, but for me, I am newly discovering as I just met her a few weeks ago upon seeing a small group of her works. Process based and intuitive, Maxine allows whatever begins to arise to grow and develop. Some paintings convey the quality of dream-induced landscape and others a completely nonobjective painterly experience of texture and color. I am overcome with intrigue as I examine several pieces in the larger gallery composed of a flurry of large brushmarks in neutrals and pale whites with the contrast of hue-orientated linear elements. There is a set of small square works in the front room consisting mainly of oranges and blues with compositions reminiscent of Arthur Dow. Nice!

Review by Anneliese Vobis: Peaceful glazes contrast with wild brush strokes; vibrant colors define abstract imagery. The artist applies her paint in layers to create the illusion of depth.

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Ratio 3 Gallery: Danny Keith - Flannel and Fur.

Review by Anneliese Vobis: Each Danny Keith portrait painting is a carefully choreographed interplay of form and narrative. His imagery appears inspired by 19th century painting done in a very contemporary photorealistic style. Keith's very emotional scenarios are contrasted by cool neutral backgrounds. Many questions arise as to the symbolic meanings of the furs and other textiles. Fabulous show.

Comment by AB: Worth a visit. Good art.

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SOMArts Gallery: Get Lucky - The Culture of Chance. Curated by Justin Hoover and Hanna Regev.

Artists: Nick Agid, Michael Bartalos, Nolan Jones, Theodora Varney Jones, Jonathan Keats, Scott Kildall, Jon Kuzmich, Garrett La Fever, Dony May, David Molina, David Middlebrook , Luk Ogrydziak, Micky Tchibana, Zoe Prillinger, Renee Rhodes, Kenneth Wilkes, Michelle Wilson, Rim Roseborough, Sandra Ortiz Taylor, Janet Jones, Robin Hill, Vita Hewitt, Jim Melchert, Bryan Hewitt, Nancy Genn, Mauro Ffortisimo, EXCOR, Robert Flynn Johnson, Antonio Cortez, Richard Berger, Kirkman Amryx, Naomie Kremer.

Review by Anneliese Vobis: Multilayered concepts play between arts, architecture, craft and design. Delicate paperworks, expressive sculptures, video installations, and many more genres. A special highlight is an experimental sound installation in the annex space where Micky Tachibana creates "Visual Music" with the Koto, a Japanese harp, accompanied by a digital projection.

Review by Kathryn Arnold: Justin Hoover and Hanna Regev put together this dream dedicated to John Cage and his approaches involving chance. They throw a big party event Friday evening and apparently everyone is here. This interactive event includes performances and music, and visitors/viewers are given opportunities to submit lines and words for a spontaneous poem (so I do-- if you see green pastures, banana peels and cheese wrappers in the poem-- those are mine).

Also on exhibit are multiple collages-- be they computer generated or physically manipulated, Schwitter-like works with small assemblages, a Cornell box tribute, video with random play, Naomi Kremer's digital projection of herself painting (is she quoting Pollack's video of himself painting on glass?), a sound board with random notes extending to the ceiling, and surrealist imagery. This nice selection of works portrays all elements of chance... if by chance that can happen.

Towards the center of the space is a sculpture By David Middlebrook made of bronze faux bamboo colored in delicate greens which function as stilts for a sky-high off-white boat. A mesmerizing poetic image taking the tradition of 'imagist' poetry (Rimbaud, Mallarme, Baudelaire) and making it a solid and real thing-- haunting play of contrasts of heavy/light (where everything is in actuality heavy), linear/mass in a form that generates a sense of instability. This form reflects our time and place and I can't quite get it out of my mind.

There is much more at this exhibition and I have no ability to view it all.

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Z Space Gallery: Taking Stock - Emily Heller & Leah Rosenberg.

Comment by AB: Slick professional photography by Emily Heller, commercial in appearance but with an artful flair. Leah Rosenberg sculpts with paint.

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FFDG Gallery: MCD LAB#3 - Fake Sunset.

Artists: Jeremy Fish, Matt Furie, Aiyana Udesen, Sesper, Lucas Cabu, Fabio Bitao, Talita Hoffmann, Anthony Nathan, Lucas Torres, Alberto Monteiro.

Review by Mairead O'Connor: California and Brazilian artists are brought together to create a work that speaks to the idea of the clichéd view of California that has spread internationally. I am struck by the fact that, when shown side by side, the Brazilian works have a readily identifiable South American look, while the American pieces are immediately recognizable as being from the US.

Review by Anneliese Vobis: The vocabulary of these compositions ranges from abstraction, provocation, mental maps and figuration to hybrid worlds with manmade mutants and otherworldly creatures. A second viewing is recommended to get a better idea about the various ongoing narratives.

Comment by AB: To celebrate FFDG's latest grand opening, all ten prints in this inaugural event are available in editions of 150, signed, numbered and only $75 each. Such a deal!

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Robert Berman / E6 Gallery: Nathan Richard Phelps - Inside-out & Through.

Comment by AB: Sunburst black and white spectacles journey viewers through fantastic realities.

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