RATIO 3 - SOUTHERN EXPOSURE - MISSION 17
PHOTO EPICENTER - QUEEN'S NAILS ANNEX - PING PONG
03.14.08
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Mission 17 Gallery: Admist the Ruins.
Artists: Val Britton, Michael Damm, Zachary Royer Scholz.
Comment by AB: This one's basically a treatise on the creative aspects of destruction, demonstrating once again that art is everywhere, though at times you have to squint to see it. Zachary Royer Scholz's dissembled reconfigured reassembled pieces of furniture engage from visual as well as workmanship standopoints.
Reconstituted couch/wall/floor configuration (Zachary Royer Scholz). Art. Art. Video art + view out the window.
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Ratio 3 Gallery: Ruth Laskey - 7 Weavings.
Comment by AB: According to the brochure, Ruth Laskey continues her "Twill Series" by using a loom to create 7 delicate weavings of fine hand-dyed linen threads. The threads are woven to show elemental overlaping geometric forms against plain backgrounds. But these aren't simply weavings. Again acquiescing to the brochure, they're "reinvestments in the exploration of the image as it relates to its support with a personal intimate aesthetic." Uh... I'll have to think about that, but whatever they are, Laskey's care, conscientiousness, and concern are readily evident.
Art by Ruth Laskey. Wanna zoom in on that one on the right? OK. Now it's on the left... but we're gettin' closer. Now we're hand-size close. Now we're pinkie-size close-- as close as we're gonna get here. Art. Art. Art. Demographics.
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Southern Exposure: Vapor.
Artists: Amy Balkin, Futurefarmers, Natalie Jeremijenko, The Living, Eric Paulos, Preemptive Media. Curated by Alison Sant and Jordan Geiger.
Comment by AB: Art about the environment, particularly the progressive degradation of air quality, increase in greenhouse gasses, overconsumption of resources, and the biggie-- global climate change. All are addressed in this art-meets-science exhibition. The good news is that the upshot is not just a bunch of complainers complaining, but rather proactive practical enactable solutions are proposed.
Part of the problem. Part of the solution. More proposed solutions. Co-curator Jordan Geiger, right. What we're all gonna be wearing soon if we don't figure this out. Pro-environmental art. Installation demonstration. Installation detail.
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Photo Epicenter: Psymulation - Reenactments of the Present.
Artists: Gerald Edwards III, Brennan Hill, Kent Lambert, Matthew Post, Squirrel, Brendan Threadgill. Curated by Chris Fitzpatrick
Comments by AB: I peruse the palaverous pretext on this one with an analytical eye, even deploying rarely used emergency sectors of my brain, but it's no use. If I were getting graded on comprehension, I'd score maybe 20%. Here's a thought-- encapsulate the essence in maybe 2 or 3 sentences for the tinhorns. What do you say?
Anyway, skip to the art. There's some convincing computer-enhanced imagery by Gerald Edwards III that makes it look like we're being invaded by aliens and/or the world's gone wacko (which it has). And there's a so-stated "partially reconstructed" car bomb fragment by Brendan Threadgill for $6500, which to make it official, I would expect to be accompanied by complete incontrovertible documentation bearing government rubber stamps, bureaucratic signatures, and snappy stuff like that. The good news? After all's said and done, I kinda like it.
Alien imagery (Gerald Edwards III - like it). Alien imagery (Gerald Edwards III). Alien imagery (Gerald Edwards III). Car bomb art (Brendan Threadgill). Art. Art. Art. Out in the alley.
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Queen's Nails Annex in conjunction with the Outpost for Contemporary Art: Ukrainian Citizens and Strangers.
Artists: Jeff Cain, Adam Frelin, Olexander Gnilitsky + Lesja Zajac (aka Institution of Unstable Thoughts), Maya Hayuk, Tim Hyde, Yuliya Kostevera + Yuriy Kruchak, Angie Waller. Curated by Julie Deamer.
Comment by AB: It's an artist exchange between America and the Ukraine-- American artists spending time there and artifying their impressions up for us here; Ukranian artists complementing and building that presentation out with experienced creative perspectives from inside. It's all for our edification and enjoyment, and it works. I come away with a distinct feel for the country.
Art. Commemorative Ukranian image projected onto blank white plate. Commemorative Ukranian image projected onto blank white plate. Travelogue video paired with contempo take on traditional design. Travelogue video paired with contempo take on traditional design. Art. Art. Out front.
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Ping Pong Gallery: Deric Carner - Double Heading.
Comment by AB: I only occasionally come across an artist who takes what's gone before and progresses it to a conspicuously innovative realm. Deric Carner does. Carner tells me that, aside from his artistic inclinations, he's also a graphic designer (which may technically be cheating according to the MFA crowd, but I don't deduct any points for it). Whatever your postion on "pure art," Carner's work is worth noting. He incorporates a little bit o' Bauhaus, a dash of revolutionary Russian design, a smidge of Czechoslovakian avant garde, and similar geometric abstract and modernist concepts-- the upshot undeniably Carner. Without that much of a leap, I can see his imagery promoting brand name merchandise (in a few years, that is, when the rest of the world catches up). The big ones are $750, the little ones are $250 or $300-- modest wagers on potentially robust upsides. Like 'em. Go see.
Art by Deric Carner. Art. Deric Carner - art. Art. Art. Art.
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