CATHARINE CLARK - PATRICIA SWEETOW - LITTLE TREE - STARTHERESF - SUPER 7 - FABRIC8 - JOHANSSON PROJECTS (OAKLAND)
03.21.09
(with Assistance from R.W. Miller)
Catharine Clark Gallery: James Barsness - Dharma Bums; Philip Knoll - Paradise Found; Marko Maetamm in the Media Room.
Review by R.W. Miller: You can't help but be impressed by the amount of detail and humor presented in the images of Philip Knoll and James Barsness. Barness' convoluted images tell stories that can be ascertained by close observation. All sorts of symbols, creatures, and characters abound in these tales told on canvas. Wildlife is also part of the stories told here. Philip Knoll's work speaks to the overcrowded urban zeitgeist. Not everybody is surviving the Population Bomb. All sorts of well-rendered cartoon characters can be found connecting in these tight places. Impressive detail.
Comment by AB: Quality work on both counts; go see. And check out Marko Maetamm's amusing videos in the media room while you're at it-- I caught a snippet of the one called "Car Ride."
Art by James Barsness.
Art (James Barsness).
Art (James Barsness).
Art (Philip Knoll).
Art closer (Philip Knoll).
Art (Philip Knoll).
Art (Philip Knoll).
"Car Ride" video by Marko Maetamm.
Wily artistic anarchy in the alley.
***
Little Tree Gallery: Pablo Guardiola and Haden Nicholl.
Comment by AB: For Little Tree's last hurrah, Pablo Guardiola and Haden Nicholl transform the gallery into a festive affair rife with balloons, boxes, kinetic contrivances, and diminutive curiosities fashioned from the likes of bottle caps, dried parsnips, and packing tape. Happy trails, Little Tree.
Art by Pablo Guardiola and Haden Nicholl.
Art.
Art closer - bottle caps and packing tape.
Art.
Art.
Outside looking in. Bye now.
***
Super 7 Store: Big Hairy Deal - Joshua & Leecifer Herbolsheimer.
Comment by AB: Imaginary animation-esque creatures and characters in paint and sculpture by Joshua and Leecifer Herbolsheimer.
Art by Joshua and Leecifer Herbolsheimer.
Art.
Art.
Art closer.
Art.
Looking north.
Looking south.
***
Johansson Projects, Oakland: Kate Eric and Marina Vendrell Renaut - Flaming Furbelows.
Review and images by DeWitt Cheng: The Flaming Furbelows show at Johansson Projects features the soft sculptures (fur and yarn with enclosed music-boxes or motors) of Marina Vendell Renault and the acrylic/mixed-media drawings of art-couple Kate Eric, which depict sprawling tangles of animal and plant life engaged in what appears to be post-apocalyptic hybrid struggle. Weird and funny show. Don't miss Renault's furry, radio-controlled rolling genitalia; watch your feet.
Kate Eric (or maybe Eric Kate).
Kate examining marmot-&-yarn art by Marina Vendell Renault.
Detail of art by Kate Eric.
Detail of art by Kate Eric.
Marina Vendell Renault with artwork.
Art by Marina Vendell Renault.
Art by Marina Vendell Renault.
***
StartHereSF: Katja Leibenath - Of the City.
Review and images by R.W. Miller: Katja Leibenath's urban and rural landscapes evoke silence and contemplation. All may not be well in these landscapes that do not have wondrous blue skies. Instead there is heavy paint which may indicate polluted or clouded skies. Though the show is a "celebration" of San Francisco, one cannot help but notice that the air is not crisp and clear. There are days here in San Francisco where the air is not ideal. The painted images do make one stop and pause to observe these lonely cityscapes. Looking closer, one can almost experience the angst of others.
Art by Katja Leibenath (photo c/o the artist).
***
Addendum:
Art by Ernest Jolly at Patricia Sweetow Gallery.
Art by Dustin Kelly at Patricia Sweetow Gallery.
Art by Lauren Davies at Patricia Sweetow Gallery.
Compact group show at Fabric8.
One more from group show at Fabric8.
Statistical sample at Fabric8.
***