ARTZONE 461 - FEMINA POTENS - MILLION FISHES - PUSH - SOAP - FIVEPOINTS - 03.07.09 - (with Assistance from R.W. Miller)

ArtZone 461 Gallery: Gary Brewer - A Seductive Nature; Gage Opdenbrouw - Windows.

Review by R.W. Miller: Gary Brewer celebrates the wondrous forms and shapes that can be found in the natural world. Evolution has resulted in all sorts of strange and incredible forms, many of which are beyond our immediate understanding. Beauty has also been a selective factor. Though the forms depicted here are taken out of context, out of ecological settings, Brewer adds color and drama to his exposition of life. One cannot help but be amazed, to be attracted like a pollinator, to celebrate the denizens of light and brine.

Comment by AB: In the side gallery, Gage Opdenbrouw paints up an intimate series of interiors, in particular the view out his kitchen window. The works are certainly meaningful to him, but presented in such away that everyone is welcome.

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Femina Potens: Little Boxes.

Artists: Deborah Hayner, Dolores Gray, Lex McQuilkin, Zannah Noe.

Comment by AB: Gratifying array of dimunitive dioramas in the form of assemblages, shadow boxes, and sculptural works, ranging from curious to contemplative, all with a distinct feminine feel.

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Soap Gallery: Detritus.

Artists: Fritz Van Orden, Lani Asher, Karin Wikstrom, Adele Crawford, Dean Decent, Ian Scheller, Anne M. Bray.

Comment by AB: Not exactly sure how the show's title "Detritus" relates to the art, other than maybe it's a little of this and a little of that-- a smattering of fragments eroded from the whole. And generally commendable.

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Million Fishes: It's The Way That You Move.

Artists: Brice Bischoff, Jamaica Fredericks, Kevin Parks Hauser, Scott Kiernen, Ajna Lichau, Hava Liberman, Paris Mancini, Harvey Newman, Christian Oittinen, Jeff Ray, Annie Yalon, Alyssa Taylor Wendt.

Comment by AB: Group show loosely construed around bodies (corporeal and otherwise). The zenith? Delicious smoked smelt on a platter courtesy of Astoria, Oregon artist Ajna Lichau-- plus she's exhibiting a smelt mobile and a smelt-related video. Can anyone possibly ask for more? Yes they can. Zenith runnerup is an ominous noirish black & white video by Paris Mancini on view down the hall and around the bend.

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Push Studio: VAR1OUS.

Artists: Erik Otto, Ursula Xante Young, Derrick Boyd, Downtimer, Krescent Carasso, Tommy Noshitsky.

Comment by AB: Copious urban amalgam transits the big city gamut. Prices range from $25-$3250. Plenty to choose from and something for everyone.

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Fivepoints Arthouse: Erin Gallup - The Usa Family Estate.

Comment by AB: And tonight's winner is Erin Gallup for "The Usa Family Estate" (with musical accompaniment by Scott Weiser). So here's the deal-- Gallup strafes local secondhand stores to acquire select personal effects like clothes, reading matter, old photos, eyeglasses, exercise equipment, jewelry, toys, and more, and uses it all to concoct a fictitious family-- the Usa's-- "patriarch Donald, his wife Thelma, their children Donald, Richard, Judith and William, grandchildren Jennifer, Brian, Michael and Emily, and great-grandchild Matthew." How does she do it? By sagely sorting, organizing, and arranging her purchases in such a way that each resulting group of belongings comes to represent one member of the Usa family. You peruse her various arrangements and kinda feel like you know the personalities of the so-called owners. Admirably convincing. Plus there's a performance culminating in a mock auction of the Usa family belongings (which I sadly can't stay for). Well done; go see.