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JOHN PENCE - RAYKO - AMPERSAND - PING PONG

ELEANOR HARWOOD - ADOBE BACKROOM

PARK LIFE - ART EXPLOSION

02.26.10

(with assistance from RWM and Sandra Silvoy)

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John Pence Gallery: The Human Figure.

Artists: Juliette Aristides, Michael Bergt, Jacob Collins, Tony Curanaj, Carl Dobsky, Adam Forfang, Kevin Gorges, Russell Harris, Michael Klein, David Larned, Kate Lehman, Robert Liberace, Richard Maury, Jacob Pfeiffer, Travis Schlaht, Andrea Smith, Patricia Watwood, Marvin Werlin, Sam Wisneski, William Bartlett, Noah Buchanan, Brian Craig-Wankiiri, John deMartin, Douglas Flynt, Greg Gandy, Amaya Gurpide, Nicholas Hiltner, John Koch, Dean Larson, Steven J. Levin, Jeremy Mann, Edward Minoff, Nicholas M. Raynolds, John Sisko, Peter VanDyck, Gary Weisman, Will Wilson, Zack Zdrale.

Comment by AB: There's no end to the posturing and jockeying among artists, galleries, critics, academics and sundry agendites about who's got the corner on artistic enlightenment yesterday, today, tomorrow or forever. I mean God, it never ends. All this ranting and panting for attention, for post position in the greatest imaginary race of all time. What's the prize? I have no idea. But through all the bullshit, one truth remains constant... either you know how to paint or you don't. And that, as they say, is that.

Figurative art at John Pence Gallery.

Figure painting at John Pence Gallery.

Figurative art at John Pence Gallery.

Portrait and figure painting at John Pence Gallery.

Figurative art and portrait painting at John Pence Gallery.

Art at John Pence Gallery.

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RayKo Photo Center: 3rd Annual International Juried Plastic Camera Show.

Photographers: Over 80 photographers from around the world.

Review by RWM: It just goes to show you that one does not need a fancy camera to materialize a good idea for a photograph. You would have probably seen some of these images before, but cannot help but revisit the archtypical artistic subjects here presented. The show is impressive, vast, oblique and inspiring. Overwhelming in a way, completely crammed with fans. Maybe too much for just one visit.

Comment by AB: Notable range and variety; definitely worth a visit.

What it is - plastic camera photography.

Plastic camera photography.

Plastic camera photographs.

Plastic camera photos.

Plastic camera photographs.

Plastic camera photography.

Photos taken with plastic cameras.

Plastic camera photos.

Plastic camera photography.

Photos taken with plastic cameras.

Population density.

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Ampersand International Arts: Shashana Chittle and Lauren Davies.

Comment by AB: I'll say one thing about Lauren Davies-- it ain't always pretty, but that's clearly not a concern. She does not care and never waivers in her intentions. And that's what being an artist is all about. You gotta stay the course if you truly believe, and sooner or later the rest of us will get the picture. In the back gallery, Shashana Chittle takes us on a spirited spiritual excursion.

Art by Lauren Davies.

Art by Lauren Davies closer.

Lauren Davies art.

Is it art? Lauren Davies says it is... and so it is.

Lauren Davies art.

Art by Shashana Chittle.

Art by Shashana Chittle closer.

Me blissing out to a soundtrack while reflecting on myself.
Art by Shashana Chittle.

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Ping Pong Gallery: Deric Carner - None of the Above.

Comment by AB: There's a considerable cognitive component that sidles alongside this one, but if you lack the wherewithal to assimilate that, let's just say Deric Carner concocts his own language, illustrates it up, and in so doing, offers an amply adequate glimpse into his reality.

Art by Deric Carner.

Deric Carner art.

Deric Carner and his art.

Art by Deric Carner.

Art by Deric Carner closer.

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Eleanor Harwood Gallery: Renee Gertler - Afterglow in Divided Space.

Comment by AB: Renee Gertler reconfigures a Marcel Breuer moment into an investigation of male vs female space and the kinds of stuff we sexes elect to chock it with.

Manly art by Renee Gertler.

Male art closer by Renee Gertler.

Manly art closer yet by Renee Gertler (note light through pinholes).

Male art by Renee Gertler.

Renee Gertler and womanly art.

Female art by Renee Gertler.

Artful rendition of a Marcel Breuer chaise lounge by Renee Gertler.

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Adobe Books Backroom Gallery: Fritos and Champagne - A Three-Part Exhibition of Cooking, Recipes, Conversations and Food by Dori Latman (Part I).

Review by RWM: In depth individual exploration of our interest in food by Dori Latman. You can't help but get hungry even though the images are in black and white. Enjoy all sorts of suggested stories about our relationships and fascination with food. Here you have scholarly, historical, and sometimes even practically photographic ones.

Comment by AB: Dori Latman tells me the cookbook covers depicted here comprise all the titles in one of her mother's bookcases.

Art by Dori Latman.

Dori Latman and her art.

Art closer by Dori Latman.

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Park Life: Bro Palace.

Artists: Skinner, Porous Walker, Jay Howell, Deth P Sun and Ferris Plock. Special Live performance by Thee Oh Sees.

Review by Sandra Silvoy: Step up your brocab at Bro Palace. Comical and sexually driven narratives dominate the show. "Tuff Taco" has to watch his back while "Even Jesus Couldn't Fix Ugly." Oh no. Someone has pantsed the stuffed monster of elderly stature. He stands helpless infront of his walker while toy figurines droop from his speedo. Brofoonery runs amok in this delightful showcase of illustration and installation.

Art by Deth P Sun.

Art by Deth P Sun closer (image c/o Sandra Silvoy).

Art by Ferris Plock.

Art by Ferris Plock closer (image c/o Sandra Silvoy).

Classic penis art by Porous Walker (image c/o Sandra Silvoy).

Tarzan calls it quits art by Porous Walker (image c/o Sandra Silvoy).

Confetti art by Porous Walker.

Art by Jay Howell.

John Dwyer final checks the equipment - art by Skinner.

Ready for Thee Oh Sees to perform.

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Art Explosion Studios, 744 Alabama Street, San Francisco, CA94110: SSSshow.

Review by RWM: Jazzy paintings with soul and motion. Cool color schemes and contrasts. Great to see The City depicted in various ways-- sometimes in all its vitality, other times more bluesy and alienating. There are also the bird-people artists presented on the wall; one can hear them calling out from their images "I am a bird too and you better watch out."

Sorry, no pics for this one.

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