BAER RIDGWAY - MARX & ZAVATTERO - NOMA

ARTZONE 461 - JAMES SNIDLE - MISHO

07.24.10

(with assistance from Kathryn Arnold and RWM)

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Baer Ridgway Exhibitions: It's My World.

Artists: Castaneda / Reiman, Benjamin King, Michael Krueger, Sean McFarland, Claire Sherman, Tracey Snelling, Becky Suss, Christopher Taggart, David Wilson, Claude Zervas, Zachary Royer Scholz.

Review by Kathryn Arnold: I am very into these group exhibitions that Eli Ridgway and Kent Baer organize for Baer Ridgeway Exhibitions and this one is no exception. Here tonight-- a number of works are on paper, one installation sculpture, two videos playing through openings by Tracey Snelling, and one mixed media work with materials that appear to be sheetrock/drywall plaster, wood and paint. The entrance to the gallery-- sky-blue taped stripes and lines by Zachary Royer Scholz-- is described as a site-responsive installation.

The art overall refers to landscape and human interaction. Skagit by Claude Zervas employs green CCFL lamps to create a linear element-- perhaps relating to the topography in the Skagit area of Washington State (I had to look the title up). Fascinating to view; paying homage to Flavin yet removing the minimalist element and allowing line to meander. Zervas allows us to also see the electronic components which make this piece work.

As you enter the gallery, an installation along the left wall by Castanda and Reiman contains building materials juxtaposed with a framed painting of a seascape. Tracey Snelling's incorporates video into miniature openings within small-scale architectural constructions. And there are cavernous mixed media works by Claire Sherman. Michael Krueger exhibits two color pencil drawings-- whimsical nature portrayed with colors and patterns yet combined with fearful aspects of the here and now.

Sean McFarland exhibits small black and white poloroids of empty landscape spaces. A lovely sparse oil painting on the back wall of the lower gallery by Becky Suss beckons with absence and stillness. Christopher Taggart has dismantled photographs and woven them back together again creating a pixelated view within a shape that appears to be a rearview mirror. David Wilson has simply created charcoal drawings of various landforms-- amazingly captured with such spare means. Benjamin King's landscape reflects basic organic curves as he positions a flatly shaped hill against earth and sky.

Just love the entire exhibition-- very much worth seeing. (I hope I covered all of the artists; my sincere apologies if I left anyone out.)

Review by RWM: Terrific reminders of commuting with strange occurrences out and about and even downtown. Great little constructions by Tracey Snelling with broadcasted images in the store windows. Neat explorations of the landscape.

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Marx & Zavattero: Timothy Nolan - Tilt.

Review by Kathryn Arnold: Amazing what you can do with so little and Timothy Nolan's exhibition points up this fact. Using cut papers, mylar, metallics and a few additional materials-- all in black, white, silver, grey-- he creates a set of minimalist constructions that at times play optically as the blacks, whites and grays blend to create illusions of dimensionality even on flat surfaces. The translucency of the mylar, when it is used, provides a lush pearlescent backdrop for the 2-dimensional areas of color.

Review by RWM: Neat use of mirrors and gray spaces encourages us to examine art as reflections and glitters of light. Masterful use of mirrored sculptural surfaces. One can find depth here and art reflecting art within art. The trip however does not last for long.

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NOMA Gallery: Nate Boyce - Parallel Series I & II.

Review by RWM: Art is broadcast in vibrant psychedelics on video monitors. These beautiful colors and designs keep you guessing as to outcomes while hypnotizing you by their dynamics. Memorable, surprising and stirring.

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ArtZone 461 Gallery: Keith Gaspari, Heidi McDowell, Brian Tepper.

Comment by AB: Uninhibited electric pencil drawings by Keith Gaspari; precise professional serpentine woodworks by Brian Tepper; capable expansive landscapes, skyscapes and industrial scenes sourced with exactitude from photographs by Heidi McDowell.

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James Snidle Fine Art Gallery: Jerry Frost.

Review by RWM: Vibrant. Moving. Not just color on the canvas. Also the hints of shape, occurrences, and ideas. These paintings by Jerry Frost can certainly find a life of their own on your walls.

Comment by AB: In addition to the abstract paintings by Jerry Frost, bask in a jocular hodgepodge of antiques, collectables, artifacts, kitsch, camp, flamboyance, vintage male erotica by Allen Shapiro (upstairs) and more. Quite the confluence!

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Misho Gallery: One-Year Anniversary.

Artists: Michel Misho, Alan Mazzetti, Ali Meamar, Guy Clement Cohen, Nicole Bron Chappuis.

Review by RWM, images c/o the artists: Nice selection here explores our connection with the environment, both urban and rural. Nice cards and original abstract ties as well.

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