CHANDLER - BAER RIDGWAY - PUSH
MICHAEL ROSENTHAL - 2ND FLOOR PROJECTS - 31 RAUSCH
08.01.09
(with assistance from RWM)

Chandler Fine Art: Robert Ogata - A Micro-survey.

Comment by AB: Organic abstractions by Robert Ogata transform surface, horizon, atmosphere, terrain and natural forms into magical expansive fantasies.

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Baer Ridgway Exhibitions: Cassandra C. Jones - Send Me A Link.

Review by RWM: The dynamic video photo montages presented by Cassandra C. Jones give one the sense of movement, but also explore the essentials of things. There are birds that appear to be moving in flight, examinations of disco light balls, burning cars, the moon, and snow balls. The images change so quickly it is hard to find a meaning from what is being presented. These startling video images leave one grasping for understanding. There are also collages of lightning in the shape of a rabbit in the sky. The creative drive drives on.

Comment by AB: Among other things, Cassandra C. Jones takes random images from random sources with the same or similar compositions and subject matters and splices them into "moving pictures" and sequential progressions-- all entirely plausible. My faves? Her eBay-meets-Muybridge horse jump compositions. She basically buys antique black and white photo postcards of unrelated horse jumps on eBay and combines them together with such perfection that create illusions of single horses making single jumps. Like 'em.

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Push Studio: Collabo Arts presents Passive-Aggressive (Art Exhibito).

Artists: David Choong Lee, David Flores, Duser, JW Miller, Zoso, Chris Brett, Marcus Murray.

Comment by AB: Delectable urban cull courtesy of Collabo Arts. I'm here early and set-up is still in progress, but the owners are kind enough to let me in anyway.

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Michael Rosenthal Gallery: Annual Biennial.

Artists: Megan Whitmarsh, Amy Casey, Lisa Adams, Inga Dorosz, Jane Fine, Veronica De Jesus, Sean Glover, John Abrahams, Tracy Snelling, Veronica de Jesus, Carl Auge, Emily Sevier, Elizabeth Mooney, more.

Comment by AB: It's a summer selection of sorts presenting a diverse range of works by gallery artists. After an appropriate modicum of persual, I gotta go with "Color Work Station" by Megan Whitmarsh.

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[ 2nd floor projects ]: Amanda Kirkhuff - here comes every body. Video by Nao Bustamante, Craig Goodman, Gina Osterloh, Stoll/Wachall.

Comment by AB: I'm always gratified to see an artist who not only has a vision, but also knows how to paint and draw. Tons of artists are just fine with the brain part, but then when it comes to translating those profound cognitions into art by actually having to use their hands and the techniques they've (supposedly) learned in art school, the finished products simply don't make the grade. Amanda Kirkhuff's art indubitably does in this-- her moving tribute to that high priestess of penilectomy, Lorena Bobbit.

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31 Rausch Gallery: Chris Koperski - Recent Work.

Comment by AB: Sparse wistful outdoor photography by Chris Koperski is the main event here at Chris McCaw's home/office/gallery/party pad this month. The best part? $75 each for the prints (if I recall correctly). Buy now. Legend has it that tonight is also Koperski's birthday, that he conceived 31 Rausch Gallery, and as if that's not already way more than enough, he headlined their inaugural exhibition. It rarely gets more momentous than that, does it my darling artsters?

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