ADOBE BACKROOM - HIJINKS - HEIST

MODERN EDEN - CLUB SIX

STUDIO GALLERY - A.MUSE

08.21+23.10

(with assistance from RWM)

***

Adobe Books Backroom Gallery: Sean McFarland - Untitled Landscapes (California).

Review by RWM: Interesting to ponder the meaning of the vast number of tiny landscape pictures the size of Post-its displayed on one wall here. You can sense a comment about the the scientific or documentary interest in landscape painting. Being someone who likes landscape painting, being someone who thinks that successful landscape painting helps viewers connect with memories of their outdoor experiences, I cannot help but think that the art presented here is somewhat irreverant. Artist do at times seem taken aback by natural experiences, and so depict its alienness; not everyone gets something from the outdoors. But a good landscape painting can help recall where one has been. A mountain, shoreline, river, field or hill can have a meaning. Many of the small outdoor portraits here reward close observation, but the majesty seems lost in this formalized investigation. There is ample interest here nonetheless, and one can pick and choose.

Comment by AB: My pinkie cam is lovin' this...

***

Gallery Hijinks: Inaugural Exhibition.

Artists: Breynda Glazier, Lisa Congdon, Pakayla Biehn, Charmaine Olivia, Ryan Riss,Jing Wei, Morgan Blair.

Comment by AB: Gallery Hijinks is now officially on the map with this suitably zesty grand opening show.

***

Gallery Heist: phemeral Beauty.

Artists: Hugh Leeman, Sean Desmond, Nate Van Dyke, Thank You, Brett Amory, Mario Ayala, Gaia, Ludo, Miso, Keef Ward, Daryll Pierce, Armo, Press Pause, Marcos Lafarga, David Roselle.

Comment by AB: Street artists from around the world take it indoors for this essay on the temporal nature of unsanctioned outdoor arts.

***

Modern Eden Gallery: Nocturnal - The Esoteric Botanica of Nicomi Nix Turner.

Additional artists: Layil Umbralux, Heather Ford, with jewelry by Science Kitty, Tanith, Form and Funktion, Thief of Hearts..

Review by RWM: You may find the taxonomical interests of Nicomi Nix Turner disturbing as you cannot help but notice sorrowful faces and skulls among the botanica. Fascinating subjects to study here, graphite drawings done up in excellent workmanship and detail... but somber nonetheless. Deadly tidings are on display and perhaps in the offing, or maybe we are seeing what has been left to us by past inhabitants of the wild.

Comment by AB: Modern Eden just opened recently. Nice space; stop on by and check it out.

***

Studio Gallery: City Streets - Urban Views of the Bay Area.

Artists: Lindsey Kustusch, Tae Park, Jeremy Mann, Anna Conti, Juntae Kim, Richard Lindenberg, Scott Grabowski, Marcos Shih, Chris Grassano, Mamie Walters, Heather Burton, Claudia Rilling, Trevor Smith, Heather Capen, Aaron Lawrence, Hilary Mills, Michael Chamberlain, Patricia Araujo, Jonathan Ahn, Alice Gibbons, Toru Sugita, Tsungwei Moo, Proehl Studios, Add Bonn, Elizabeth Ashcroft, Sookyi Lee, Trevor Meeker, Richard Benbrook, Cat U-Thasoonthorn.

Review by RWM, images c/o Studio Gallery: Nice art from a gallery that knows how to put together a themed show people can understand, draw connections from and comment about. Wide variety of art on display about the City by the Bay/Estuary. There is light, sky, dark, night, and streets shining wet from the rain. You cannot help but admire the architecture or the neighborhoods. Though you won't get lost in the fog often here, there is winter rain and cleansing sun. Marvelous cityscapes on display.

***

a.Muse Gallery: Absolute Subjectivity - New art by Nathan Richard Phelps.

Review by RWM, image c/o a.Muse Gallery: Though limited to black and white, the floral images are wonderful with swirls and contrasts. Because of the motion, one does not miss the vibrant hues of flowers, which may actually in this case detract from one's study of the details. Nice depictions of life and vitality. Though lacking in color contrasts, one finds their eyes dancing around the images, detecting depth among the black and white contours.

***

Addendum:

***