OAKLAND FIRST FRIDAY ART MURMUR
JOHANSSON PROJECTS - HATCH - FORT GALERY
MERCURY 20 - FRONT GALLERY
12.05.08
Reported by DeWitt Cheng
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Johansson Projects: Collapsitalism - The Holiday Recession Sale.
Artists: Zach Houston, Marci Erspamer, Nathan Cordero, Hunter Longe, Eric Larson, Susie Grant, Carson Murdach, Joan Moment, Andrew Benson, Alex Case, more.
Review by DeWitt Cheng: Biomorphic/floral painted/assembled duralene wall sculptures by Katy Stone and minimalist-Oriental landscape paintings on metal by Yvette Molina (my pix didn't come out, unfortunately) occupy the main gallery, while the back room contains small works by gallery artists-- common practice this time of year, but here given an ironic spin with the title, "Collapsitalism." What recession? Go buy some art!
Art by Katy Stone. Art by Katy Stone. Reception. Art by Joan Moment. Art by Nathan Cordero.
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Hatch Gallery: Frame Line - Edmund Wyss and Aaron Rosenstreich.
Review by DeWitt Cheng: Painter Edmund Wyss and photographer Aaron Rosenstreich went to art school together, but this is the first time they've shown together. That seems odd because because Wyss's photographic (i.e., objective, sharply focused, almost sculptural) paintings and Rosenstrich's painterly (i.e., subjective, pictorial) wide-angle tondo photos with their anachronistic view-camera vignetting are perfect complements.
Art by Edmund Wyss (detail). Art by Edmund Wyss. Installation shot. Art by Edmund Wyss (detail). Art by Aaron Rosenstreich. Aaron Rosenstreich - art.
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Fort Gallery: VividWild.
Artists: Sam Wohl, Harry Crofton, Ranu Mukherjee, Betsy Heistand, Maggie Roberts, Christopher Brehem, Victoria Mara Heilweil. Curated by Vanessa Maida.
Review by DeWitt Cheng: Not only did Vanessa Maida just take over the large space that Esteban Sabar Gallery used to occupy, but she is also considering opening another gallery back in Brooklyn! Congratulations! Unfortunately, however, my notes on the artwork at the reception are shaky, so no name credits for the art-- sorry. Reminder to self-- must... print... legibly.
Battery-powered fan/sink/dirt piece. Same artist as above. Digital prints of photos of garments that a new mother or Sen. David Vitter would recognize. Small magic-realist paintings. Same artist as above.
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Mercury 20 Gallery: Retrograde.
Artists: Eric Bohr, Chela Fielding, Aaron Geman, Jill McLennan, and Mary Curtis Ratcliff, as well as the work of our continuing members: Julie Alvarado, Jo Ann Biagini, Margaret Chavigny, Peter Honig, Ce Ce Landoli, Maya Kabat, Kathleen King, Tarra Lyons, Mary V. Marsh, Charlie Milgrim, Jamie Morgan, David Seiler, Laura Van Duren, Anna Vaughan and Joan Weiss.
Review by DeWitt Cheng: "Retrograde" is a group show of all twenty artist-members; the title is in keeping with galleryıs astronomical theme. Nice opening!
Mary Curtis Ratcliff - art. Charlie Milgrim - art. Maya Kabat - art. Mary V. Marsh - art. Margaret Chavigny - art. Chela Fielding - art. Ce Ce Landoli - art. Eric Bohr - art. Aaron Gelman - art.
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Front Gallery: Leviathan! - Holidays 2008.
Artists: Danny Schieble, Zara Hayes, Dave Meeker, William Wolff, Calixto Robles, Patricia Brandes, more.
Review by DeWitt Cheng: "Leviathan!" is the name of this group show which takes its name from the large installation by Danny Scheible and Zara Hayes. Also featured are beautifully crafted lights made from recycled materials by Dave Meeker, and a Bay Area print show curated by Art Hazelwood.
Gallery owner Bob Jew, and Mary Ellen Landes with "Leviathan." Art by Dave Meeker. Art by William Wolff. Art by Calixto Robles. Art by Patricia Brandes. Reception.
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