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HAINES - WIRTZ - MODERNISM ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY 11.14.07 Haines Gallery: Mike Henderson - Branches; William Powhida - A Study for Sofia Coppola's Film 'Powhida.' Comment: According to the promotional brochure, Mike Henderson has been effectively advancing the Abstract Expressionist envelope for over thirty years. Inspired by the rhythm and spontaneity of the blues (Henderson is also a professional musician), his vibrant textural multicolor compositions are a rare treat, especially considering morass of abstract mundanity that interminably gluts the marketplace. Excellent work; go see. Also in the "go see" category is William Powhida's entertaining and able trompe l'oeil storyborad put-on of a supposed film about none other than himself, purportedly to be directed by Sofia Coppola. Powhida amusingly caps the ruse with a self-deprecating press release bristling with ambiguities. Art (Mike Henderson). Art (Mike Henderson). Art (Mike Henderson). Art (Mike Henderson). Art (Mike Henderson). Art (William Powhida). Art (William Powhida). Art (William Powhida). Art (William Powhida). Art (William Powhida). *** Stephen Wirtz Gallery: Raymond Saunders. Comment: Bay Area institution Raymond Saunders once again fills Stephen Wirtz Gallery with an amazing array of paintings and installations, essentially abstractions, but also incorporating assemblage, collage, occasional representational imagery, found objects, and my favorite-- social political commentary. Whereas so many artists are confined by the boundaries of their art, Saunders conscripts his boundaries as platforms to chronicle life as he endures it. Art. Art. Art. Art. Art. Art. Art. Art. *** Modernism Gallery: Jonathon Keats - Miracle Works, Art for Dieties. Comment: Jonathon Keats concocts a pocketful of miracles, a sampling of which are on display here tonight and available for licensing by gods and dieties, to be deployed as necessary on a cosmic scale. According to Keats, science and technology have eclipsed center stage with tricky shit like the iPhone and cloning, to the point where old standards like parting the Red Sea have been relegated to the stuff that yawns are made of. In the meantime, the prestige and prominence of divinities have eroded to the point where they can't even get midweek gigs at the Turlock House of Magic. Keats aims to remedy this sorry situation with his brand new line of astral phenomena, specially reformulated and fortified for today's jaded disbelievers, and if you ask, he'll explain in detail the procedures for authorizing and subsequently enacting these incomparable manifestations of omnipotence. Expository art. Elucidatory art. Explanatory art. Demonstratory art. Expoundatory art. Disquisitionatory art. Talkin' smack art. Miracular schematics. Ancillary interviews. *** Academy of Art University: 12th Annual Faculty and Alumni Fine Art Auction. Artists: Jo Babcock, Brian Blood, Margaret Keelan, Carolyn Meyer, Kevin Moore, Will Mosgrove, Craig Nelson, Peter Schifrin, James B. Wood, Connie Begg, Ryan Baldwin, Alyson Belcher, Michael Garlington, Laurie Kersey, Bill Rhea, Kathleen Dunphy, Erik Blome, Margaret Keelan, Peter Schifrin, Anne Stryke, Wannxin Zhang, more. Comment: Proceeds from the over 400 works of art in the 12th annual Academy of Art University combined silent and live auction fundraiser go toward grants and scholarships for hundreds of deserving students and teachers. I scoped the catalogue, and opening bids are exceptionally reasonable compared to the stated retail values of the art. Mediums include painting, sculpture, jewelry, collage, photography, and ceramics. Styles tend toward traditional, but you'll discover plenty of progressive options too. Art. Art. Art. Mungo ceramic jack art (kinda like it). Art. Art. Art. Art. Art. *** |
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