<< Back to San Francisco Gallery Openings

BRAUNSTEIN/QUAY - JACK FISCHER - CORDEN POTTS - BAER RIDGWAY

CATHARINE CLARK - MINA DRESDEN - ROOT DIVISION

FECAL FACE DOT - ARTZONE 461 - GRAY AREA

SHOOTING GALLERY - WHITE WALLS - GALLERY THREE

01.09.10

(with assistance from Geoff Smith, Pilar Vree and DeWitt Cheng)

***

Braunstein/Quay Gallery: Tom Bolles - Back to Basics.

Comment by AB: Tom Bolles presents new color field paintings on canvas in combination with a twenty-year retrospective of earlier works. His combination neon, sheet metal and enamel wall sculptures dating from the late 1980s are particularly delectable.

Art by Tom Bolles.

Tom Bolles art (Ruth Braunstein, right).

Tom Bolles (center) fields questions from the fan base.

Art by Tom Bolles.

Neon wall sculpture on right by Tom Bolles in above image.

Tom Bolles art.

***

Jack Fischer Gallery: Jonathan Parker and Josedgardo Granados.

Comment by AB: Strikingly frank African American portrait paintings by Jonathan Parker contrast with incredibly intricate pencil drawings by Josedgardo Granados, the most engaging of which are wild cosmic nighttime skyscapes.

Art by Jonathan Parker.

Jonathan Parker art.

Paintings by Jonathan Parker.

Portrait paintings by Jonathan Parker.

Art by Josedgardo Granados.

Pinkie cam detail of graphite drawing by Josedgardo Granados.

Art by Josedgardo Granados.

Population sample.

***

Baer Ridgway Exhibitions: Amir H. Fallah - Spaced Case (Bong Rips, Magical Potions, Mystical Flora, and Avatars; Christopher Baird - Light and Heavy.

Comment by AB: The title pretty well sums it for Amir H. Fallah, his wild unrestrained paint and collage combinations conceived to characterize that cosmic mystical altered-states mind romp that's more commonly known as the California lifestyle (seasoned with iconic Iranian overtones). On the lower level, Christopher Baird proves that art can be anything by framing up sections of your basic woven plastic drop cloths and tarps.

Art by Amir H. Fallah.

Amir H. Fallah and art on right in above image.

Pinke cam detail of art in above image by Amir H. Fallah.

Amir H. Fallah art.

Art by Amir H. Fallah.

Art by Christopher Baird.

Art by Christopher Baird.

Pinkie cam detail of art in above image by Christopher Baird.

***

Catharine Clark Gallery: Anthony Discenza - Everything Will Probably Work Out OK.

Comment by AB: Anthony Discenza plays with text in ways certain to jumpstart your mind. You wouldn't think to connect, conjoin, integrate or free associate phrases, names, concepts and directives the way Discenza does see here, but somehow he makes it work. Video and sound pieces round out the roster.

Art by Anthony Discenza.

Anthony Discenza art.

Art by Anthony Discenza, I think. Not sure what it's doing here.

Anthony Discenza art.

Rapid fire video by Anthony Discenza.

Wall of words by Anthony Discenza.

Wall of words closer by Anthony Discenza.

***

Mina Dresden Gallery: Impromptu - Winter Exhibition.

Artists: Marie D'Abreo, Clare Judith Bowers, Alison Kendall, Michele King, Aondrea Maynard, Tessa Merrie, Jean Pettigrew Whelan, Flora Skivington.

Comment by AB: Group show. Here you go.

Art.

Art.

Art.

Art.

Art.

***

ArtZone 461: The Seduction of Duchamp - Bay Area Artists' Response.

Artists: Diane Althoff, Jerry Ross Barrish, Michael Bartalos, Ray Beldner, Richard Berger, Milton Bowens, David Broom, Luis Delgado, John DeMerritt, Laura Britt Greig, Ken Goldberg, Rebecca Goldfarb, German Herrera, Gregangelo Herrera, Charles Hobson, Mary Daniel Hobson, Reuven Itelman, Zehava Itelman Theodora Varnay Jones, David King, Naomie Kremer, Pat Lenz, José Ramón Lerma, Charles Linder, Bernie Lubell, Malcolm Lubliner, Charlie Milgrim, Jann Nunn,  Zoe Ogrydziak,  Nora Pauwels, Luke Prillinger, Tessie Barrera-Scharaga, Charles Shere, Sandra Ortiz Taylor, Jan Wurm.

Review by DeWitt Cheng: Duchampistes who missed the earlier iteration of curator Hanna Regev's fete duchampetre at Slaughterhouse Space in Healdsburg last fall (read that review here) now have an opportunity to make it up to themselves, God and their art history profs. Artzone 461 has remounted the show (with a few minor changes), and though the gallery lacks the creepy/delicious abattoir vibe, you can see the art better here, and easily make several visits to take it all in. Panel discussions are scheduled for January 19th and 30th: see the Artzone 461 website for details.

Review by Geoff Smith: Through February 7th, ArtZone 461 Gallery is presenting the traveling exhibition "The Seduction of Duchamp / Bay Area Artists' Response." Independent curator Hanna Regev organized the show by inviting over thirty local artists to create new works representing their response to the influence and importance of Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968), the founder of Dadaism and closely associated with futurist and surrealist movements. The exhibition features a wide variety of art practices and media. In my view both the idea for the show and the show itself are very interesting and successful... I highly recommend it. The outpouring of creativity and the variety of response in the presented works are fascinating and entertaining. The only negatives are the almost impossible parking situation for blocks around, and the size and density of the crowd that shows up and stays for hours... most folks are having fun but a few get at a touch of claustrophobia and leave.

There are so many artists with good pieces that I don't have space to mention them all. However, some of my favorite works are by artists Adam Cahoon, Luis Delgado, Reuven Itelman, David King, Brian Tepper, Zehava Itelman, Charles Hobson and Sandra Ortiz Taylor among others.

The "Seduction of Duchamp" is an invitation to open a dialogue about Duchamp's legacy and numerous contributions and revisit questions he raised about the nature of art that are still relevant today. As Artzone 461 points out, Duchamp himself said, "The creative act is not performed by the artists alone; the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and interpreting its inner qualifications and thus adds his contribution to the creative act." Artzone 461 will host a panel discussion entitled "Unraveling the Duchamp Enigma" on Sunday, January 31 at 3:00 pm to address these issues.

Charlie Milgrim and Planet of Kept Secrets (mixed media - bowling balls & pitchfork).
Image c/o DeWitt Cheng

Art by Jose Ramon Lerma.

Art (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Ray Beldner and his art.

Jan Wurm and her art.

Gallery owner Steven Lopez (image c/o DeWitt Cheng).

Art on left in above image closer (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Art by Michael Bartalos.

Demographics.

***

Root Division: Compelled - An Exhibition of Artists Working by Hand by Choice. Curated by Sarah Drasner.

Artists: Nicholas Bohac, Val Britton, Seth Curcio, Sarah Drasner, Nina Elder, Robyn Engel, Adam Friedman, Cameron Hockenson, Claire Jackel, Mary Ann Kluth, Carling McManus, Mimi Moncier, Susannah Prinz, Sarah Ratchye, Jana Rumberger, Jen Stark, Jill Sylvia, Jamie Spinello.

Comment by AB: Art by artists who make art the old fashioned way-- 100% manually with traditional media only. None of them fancy schmancy newfangled shortcuts, digital high junks, or affiliate artifice here. Good show; go see.

Art by Mary Ann Kluth (center).

Floating cut folded paper insect art.

Here's something you don't see every day (art by Jana Rumberger).

Art.

Art by Jamie Spinello, I think.

Art.

***

Fecal Face Dot Gallery: Henry Lewis & Mike Davis.

Review by Pilar Vree: These two artists deliver a delicately surreal and darkly psychedelic show ready to swallow the viewer whole. Eerie images of mutant and mythical creatures wander across the walls like sirens, enticing the viewer into alternate realities of paint and pencil. The small pieces by these two art world favorites complement each other well and are certainly worth seeing in person.

Review by Geoff Smith: Fecal Face Dot Gallery is a small exhibition space that meets more than its match in Henry Lewis and Mike Davis admirers at this opening... the crowd itself is something to behold in both numbers and content. The space is positively crammed with people overflowing outside onto the side walk and street. In fact, there are far more people outside than inside. It takes a certain determination to get through the crowd to see the art, but the effort is worth it. The detail in the work of both artists is impressive... no doubt related to their ongoing tattoo work. Henry Lewis' paintings allow him to transcend tattoo art to explore and record interesting themes and life experiences in a style that is sometimes reminiscent of Dali surrealism. Mike Davis' work is also symbolic and surrealistic in style but more Magritte-like, in solid colors and visually disconnected from any tattoo influences. An interesting show... and to top it all off, I think the prices are quite reasonable.

Art by Henry Lewis.

Henry Lewis art.

Art by Henry Lewis.

Henry Lewis - Mike Davis.

Art by Mike Davis.

Mike Davis art closer.

Art by Mike Davis closer.

Relative density in (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Relative density out (image c/o Geoff Smith).

***

Gray Area Foundation for the Arts: Prototype - Resident Artist Show.

Artists: Alphonzo Solorzano, Gabriel Dunne, Ryan Alexander, Miles Stemper, Daniel Massey

Review and images by Geoff Smith: I believe this is the third show at Gray Area Gallery since it's opening in 2009. The emphasis at Gray Area is primarily on the intersection of technology with traditional media. This "Prototype" show includes work by the five Gray Area resident artists Alphonzo Solorzano, Gabriel Dunne, Ryan Alexander, Miles Stemper and Daniel Massey. Using this collaborative workspace, the artists create multi-disciplinary works that include immersive environments, digitally fabricated sculpture, kinetic paintings, audiovisual software/hardware, and other mixed media experiments.

Mike Stemper's work typically employs a variety of painting and production techniques-- from spray paint to oil paint to plotters and motors, and computer generated images. In Stemper's words, "As materials blend on the surface of my paintings, the unique properties of both man-made and machine-made elements inform an abstract understanding of the present relationship of man and technology."

Alphonzo Solorzano's work is the least connected to technology, although he has one piece, Stanley & Come Along Now, that has a button-actuated "master's voice" audio where the effect is reminiscent of His Master's Voice record labels of years gone by.

In "Gourd," Ryan Alexander has uses a fascinating combination of computer programming design, laser cutting and fabrication technology, and computer controlled projection of changing light shapes onto the final suspended cardboard construct to produce a captivating dynamic effect.

In "Monad," in a darkened room Gabriel Dunne projects an ever changing set of concentric circles onto a symmetrically contoured target to evoke thoughts and feelings about existence and our universe.

I like this show and its emphasis on the intersection of art and technology, and sense that momentum is building for these artists and the Gray Area Gallery.

In The Eyes by Alphonzo Solorzano, mixed media on wood.

Rorschach by Miles Stemper, enamel on canvas.

Talk by Miles Stemper, mixed media on panel.

Stanley & Come Along Now by Alphonzo Solorzano, mixed media on found wood.

White by Alphonzo Solorzano, mixed media on found wood.

Gourd by Ryan Alexander, laser fabrication, projection mapping and cardboard.

Reflection by Miles Stemper, enamel on panel.

Monad by Gabriel Dunne, custom software, display and electronics.
(image c/o AB - like it)

Attendance figures.

***

Giant Robot: Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That - Philip Lumbang.

Review by Pilar Vree: The pieces in this show evoke cuddly and playful feelings from the viewer. The friendly white bear that populates most of the work seems like a character ready to step off the canvas and into a children's television show, complete with friendly conversation and subtle action figure references. This is the type of show that puts a smile on the viewer's face.

Review by Geoff Smith: Giant Robot was born as a Los Angeles-based magazine about Asian, Asian-American, and new hybrid culture in 1994, but has evolved into a full-service pop culture provider with shops and galleries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, as well as an online equivalent.

Philip Lumbang's one man show at Giant Robot entitled "A little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That" derives from Lumbang's graffiti/street art of "polite bears" on public walls around Los Angeles. In contrast to typically more macho style graffiti, his life-sized characters wave, smile, and are accompanied by word balloons that say things like "Have a nice day" and "Don't worry, be happy." These are no doubt intended to convey positive and upbeat vibrations in contrast to more serious or disturbing graffiti images, and to induce smiles from commuters who see these images on their daily jaunts to and from work.

Although this art is not among my personal favorite styles, I make a point of bringing two younger female family members (a 20 year old and a 15 year old) to help me review the show. They both love it, particularly the 15 year old, who is a promising Anime artist herself. There is quite a turnout of fans at Giant Robot to see Lumbang's work, mostly in or close to this same age group. Maybe they're onto something here that us older folks are too "sophisticated" to appreciate.

Art by Philip Lumbang (image c/o Pilar Vree).

Philip Lumbang (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Philip Lumbang art (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Artsters + art by Philip Lumbang (image c/o Geoff Smith).

***

White Walls Gallery: Sentimental Journey - Jesse Hazelip.

Review by Pilar Vree: Complete with industrial tinged paintings, nicely framed drawings and a large wooden sculptural installation constructed across the main room in the gallery, Jesse Hazelip's show plays heavily on the theme of the animal-cum-war machine. Every aspect of this show is thoroughly explored by the artist and offers much food for thought.

Art by Jesse Hazelip.

Jesse Hazelip art.

Jesse Hazelip and his art.

Wall of nice graphite drawings by Jesse Hazelip.

Graphite drawing closer by Jesse Hazelip.

Art by Jesse Hazelip.

Installation by Jesse Hazelip in the main White Walls Gallery.

***

The Shooting Gallery: Fist of Fear, Touch of Death - Morgan Slade.

Review by Pilar Vree: What's not to like about scantily clad women with masks on? Morgan Slade plies drippy and drawy effects that were perfected last decade onto photographs of tacky models in an attempt to satirize everything that is placed within that frame.

Art by Morgan Slade.

Art by Morgan Slade (image c/o Pilar Vree).

Morgan Slade art (image c/o Pilar Vree).

Art by Morgan Slade.

Morgan Slade art.

Atmospherics courtesy of Morgan Slade at The Shooting Gallery.

***

Addendum:

Group photo show, "Small," at Corden Potts Gallery.

One more from group photography show "Small" at Corden Potts Gallery.

Mark Warren Jacques, Timothy Karpinski, Nas Chompas at Gallery Three.

Another Mark Warren Jacques, Timothy Karpinski, Nas Chompas at Gallery Three.

Last from Mark Warren Jacques, Timothy Karpinski, Nas Chompas at Gallery Three.

***