SAN FRANCISCO ART GALLERIES OPENINGS

FIRST THURSDAY - 09.08.11 - Part I



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Anthony Meier Fine Arts: Rob Reynolds - The Bohemian Disaster and Other Paintings.

Comment by AB: Reflections on maritime disasters by Los Angeles artist Rob Reynolds are rendered in moody cathectic mysteriousness, the compositions ranging from semi-representational to largely abstract. Though you'll likely have no idea what you're looking at from a historical perspective, emotionally you'll practically feel like you're there. Worth seeing.

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Jenkins Johnson Gallery: Adia Millett - The Room Inside Your Mind.

Comment by AB: Curious little domiciles with eerie interiors by Oakland artist Adia Millett get you wondering about exactly who their residents might be. Each is paired with a photograph of its interior. Imagination is encouraged to run freely here.

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Robert Koch Gallery: Here, Anywhere - Tamas Dezso.

Comment by AB: Hungarian photographer Tamas Dezso chooses not to focus on how Hungary has raced into the 21st century since the end of the Cold War, but rather on the vestiges of what has been left behind. His documentary perspective on matters makes for a somewhat disconsolate romance.

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Haines Gallery: Monir Farmanfarmaian & Zhan Wang.

Comment by AB: It's all about the mirror here. Monir Farmanfarmaian's intricate cut, glued mirror glass compositions evolve out of a variety of influences ranging from abstract expressionism to classic Persian decoration. Zhan Wang's lustrous stainless steel sculptures, meanwhile, attempt to reconcile traditional Chinese practices of meditation and contemplation with the rampant industrialization and materialist strivings of today. Good show; go see.

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Gregory Lind Gallery: Jake Longstreth - Pastures.

Comment by AB: Los Angeles artist Jake Longstreth manages to filter out the crap, clutter and assholes of reality and gift us with his vision of what's left-- serene upbeat arcadian underpinnings. Who ever thought a parking lot could look so good?

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Brian Gross Fine Art: Ruth Pastine - Immaterial Matters.

Comment by AB: The show statement's a bit of a brain sprain, but hey-- Ruth Pastine's paintings are so deep, rich, subtle and luxurious, it doesn't make a bit of difference whether I get the pretext or not.

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Fraenkel Gallery: Christian Marclay - CYANOTYPES.

Comment by AB: The concept is straightforward enough. Take cassette tapes, dissemble them to various extents, then either organize or scatter them over photosensitive paper, expose them to light, and voila-- the results. In so doing, Christian Marclay transformes auditory endeavors into striking cyanotype images. Not an easy task; many artists attempt various visual takes on music, often with modest success at best. Marclay nails it. Definite go-see. And don't miss the video in the back. It's a close-up of a needle on a vinyl record album with a soundtrack that will wax you contemplative on what recorded sound is all about.

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Addendum:

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Ever get a hankering to support the cause? I sure hope so.

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First Thursday - August 4, 2011

First Thursday - July 7, 2011

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