SAN FRANCISCO ART GALLERIES OPENINGS

FIRST THURSDAY - 02.06.14 - Part II

(with assistance from Anna Rotty, Neal Strickberger and RWM)



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Gallery Wendi Norris: Wolfgang Paalen - Philosopher of the Possible; Simone Leigh - Code Switch.

Review by Anna Rotty: Great work featured here right now. Simone Leigh's Code Switch is what catches my eye and draws me in with her hanging clay "chandelier" dressed with a radio antennae force field preventing you from getting too close. The scale of her work makes quite the impact, especially her video in the back room. The video, which shows a figure with her back to the viewer and head under a pile of rocks, is both disturbing and meditative. Slight movements of the body breathing are the details that make a chilling difference.

Review by RWM: Fascinating art which exemplifies the design process. Many of the combinations presented are soothing. Wonderful work which does not jump off the wall. One however can enter and get lost in their compositions. Fun and interactive.

Comment by AB: In the main gallery is a meaty and impressive survey of work by noted Surrealist, Wolfgang Paalen. Good show; stop on by.

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Jenkins Johnson Gallery: Lalla Essaydi - New Beauty.

Comment by AB: The glittering pieces of jewelry and sparkling articles of clothing in a number of Lalla Essaydi's stunning photographs are actually composed of bullet casings-- a response to the Middle East uprisings of 2011. Essaydi applies the writing to her models' faces, arms and hands in henna. Definitely worth seeing.

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Highlight Gallery: En Ny Drakt For En Gammel Seremoni... A New Coat for an Old Ceremony - Haavard Homstvedt.

Comment by AB: Norwegian artist Haavard Homstvedt's show consists of impasto abstract paintings attached to metal stands, displayed like sculptures so that viewers can appreciate them from all sides (and edges). The paint itself is composed of leftovers from past paintings. Also on display are functional sculptures that can double as lamps, and a set of four ghostly portrait overlays.

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Scott Nichols Gallery: Vivian Maier - Out Of The Shadows.

Comment by AB: The extent of Vivian Maier's street photographs was not realized until after her death with the discovery of over 100,000 negatives, mainly taken in the New York and Chicago areas, but also in Paris and Los Angeles. She also took portraits and plenty more. A select group of images is on display here. Check it out.

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Corden Potts Gallery: Quietude.

Photographers: Max Kellenberger, Jacqueline Walters, Ewa Monika Zebrowski.

Comment by AB: After weeks of holiday celebrations, this show tones it down with a meditative focus on peace, quiet and the pleasures of serenity.

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K Imperial Fine Art: In the Mix.

Artists: Richard Garrison, Mila Libman, Tahiti Pehrson, Kevin Earl Taylor, Mario Trejo.

Review by Anna Rotty: K Imperial Fine Art kicks off the year by exhibiting some of the gallery artists in an abstract group show that is both strong in concept and process. Richard Garrison creates colorful radial designs mapping consumerism while Tahiti Pehrson's all white paper cutouts mimic repetition in the natural world.

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Arc Studios & Gallery: Spotlight Abstract.

Artists: Howard Hersh, Kay Kang, Martine Jardel, Aondrea Maynard.

Comment by AB, images c/o Neal Strickberger: Four distinct takes on abstraction.

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Care to contribute a little coinage to the cause? You are more than welcome to do that here.

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First Thursday - January 9, 2014

First Thursday - December 5, 2013

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