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SAN FRANCISCO ART GALLERIES OPENINGS

FIRST THURSDAY - 08.05.10

(with assistance from Anneliese Vobis, DeWitt Cheng, Clare Coppel and RWM)

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Haines Gallery: Youngsuk Suh - Wildfires.

Review by DeWitt Cheng: Remember the storm chasers in Twister? Davis-based photographer Youngsuk Suh has been following wildfires in California for several years, although less intent of the drama of flames and ruined homes than for the smoky haze that pervades the region, lending his large color photos something of the spatial immensity of Asian landscape painting-- and its cosmic view of tiny humanity. Instead of Taoist sages in rustic retreats, however, we see beachgoers under a bridge; hikers. bathers and boaters so small as to be almost unnoticeable; and the ironic human presences of commercial artifacts-- a flaming cup of coffee on a handpainted roadside sign, a dancing pneumatic doll beckoning the driver to buy gas and soda and hit the rest room, a fireman enjoying a nicotine break by the road. The photos don't lend themselves to tiny jpegs, so drive your four-wheeler downtown and hike up to this 5th-floor 49 Geary gallery.

Review by RWM: Barren vulnerable landscapes presented. One may search for various meanings in these disconcerting displays in the course of experiencing concern about the approaching catastrophe. Challenging to to appreciate the artistry of these landscapes with thoughts of the approaching doom on one's mind.

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Photography by Youngsuk Suh.

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Youngsuk Suh & photograph (image c/o DeWitt Cheng).

Photographs by Youngsuk Suh.

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Youngsuk Suh photo.

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Photography by Youngsuk Suh.

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Gregory Lind Gallery: Cooler Heads Prevail.

Artists: Thomas Campbell, Jim Gaylord, Chris Gentile, Jake Longstreth, Christian Maychack, David Poppie, Dannielle Tegeder, Don Voisine, Karla Wozniak, Will Yackulic.

Comment by AB: Select works by gallery artists. I'm groovin' on the Magic Sculpt amalgam by Christian Maychack with chair caning and wood, and also the sliced colored pencil abstraction on panel by David Poppie.

David Poppie artist art

Colored pencil art by David Poppie.

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Pinkie cam detail of art by David Poppie in above image.

Art by Christian Maychack.

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Pinkie cam detail of art by Christian Maychack in above image.

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Bekris Gallery: William Kentridge - Nose.

Review by DeWitt Cheng: Anyone who saw the massive Kentridge exhibition at SFMOMA last year and found his political/cultural drawings, prints, sculptures and videos rich and fascinating will want to see this nicely installed show of thirty prints (etchings with drypoint and aquatint). Based on Gogol's famous story, The Nose (concerning a minor pre-Russian Revolution bureaucrat who awakes one morning to find his nose absent and living its own life), Kentridge's series adds humor, art-history citations (Jarry's Pere Ubu, Degas, Rouault, Tatlin, etc.), and, no doubt historical/political ones-- Russophiles may recognize some of the faces that are semi-obscured here. A catalogue, which will presumably fill us in, is due out soon.

Review by RWM: The nose knows in this controversial exhibit which questions the motivations and endgames of the parties involved. Though traditional in style, the work nonetheless points sharply at those who are to blame, even if they are just following the edicts and dictates of their predecessors. Those in the nose are not always nice....

William Kentridge artist art

Art by William Kentridge.

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William Kentridge art closer.

Nose art by William Kentridge closer (image c/o DeWitt Cheng).

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Nose art by William Kentridge closer (image c/o DeWitt Cheng).

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William Kentridge Nose show ground rules (image c/o DeWitt Cheng).

Art by William Kentridge - Nose at Bekris.

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Corden Potts Gallery: Dog Days.

Artists: Giacomo Brunelli, Susan Burnstine, Mark Citret, Michael Crouser, Frank Espada, Susie Forrester, Alan George, Cig Harvey, Russell Joslin, Bill Mattick, Raymond Meeks, Aline Smithson, Vee Speers, Ann Texter, Natalie Young.

Comment by AB: International survey of woof-related imagery. Arf enthusiasts may wish to bark up this tree.

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Canine photography show at Corden Potts.

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Bow wow photo at Corden Potts.

Bark-related photography at Corden Potts.

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California Institute of Integral Studies: Jesse Houlding - Drawing Time.

Review by RWM, image c/o CIIS: The mystery here-- what is the art and who is making it? Are the machines the art-- and builder "co-creator" Jesse Houlding the artist-- these contraptions that rub metallic filings over the "canvases"? Or are the machines the artists, and should they be taking the credit? You watch the art-making processes evolve in predetermined schemas, the processs perhaps more impressive than the products, in this brilliant exhibit. Something or someone certainly leaves a mark here, whether it is the artist or the machine is up to you.

Jesse Houlding artist art

Art by Jesse Houlding.

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Hang Art Gallery: Here and There.

Artists: Tim Horn, Carolyn Meyer, Katherine Valentine, Ann West.

Comment by AB: Four forays into locational painting.

Timothy Horn Carolyn Meyer artist art

Art by Timothy Horn (left), Carolyn Meyer (right).

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Art by Katherine Valentine (left and right), Tim Horn (center).

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Ever Gold Gallery: Bimana - Kristen Van Patten and Jamie Spinello; Propped Up: A Tale of No (Non)Sense - Laura Boles Faw.

Review by Anneliese Vobis: Three great artists offer up a fireworks display of mind blowing approaches to contemporary art. In the front gallery, Kristen Van Patten's delicate installation reminds to the whimsical biomorphic constructions of Lee Bontecou. Materials like porcelain, plaster, fabric, wire, magnets and plastic are combined in harmonious ways. The richness of surface textures and use of line lead the eye through space. Some elements of the work could be used as models for architectural constructions. Jamie Spinello's box assemblage pieces reflect on the plantlike patterns and structures. The hand-cut paper and plastic are arranged in endless layers-- like a symbolic natural code. In the rear gallery, we are enveloped by a mass of dog noses. The artist is concerned about the senses and how we use or not use in our lives. Like entering another world Laura Boles Faw's installation is really thought provoking.

Kristen Van Patten artist art

Futuristic sculpture by Kristen Van Patten.

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Wall sculpture by Kristen Van Patten.

Cut paper art by Jamie Spinello.

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Jamie Spinello cut paper art.

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Back gallery installation art by Laura Boles.

Atmospherics.

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Kokoro Studio: Bimana - Kristen Van Patten and Jamie Spinello; Propped Up: A Tale of No (Non)Sense - Laura Boles Faw.

Review by Anneliese Vobis: Sensitive, sometimes dreamlike imagery captures our attention at first sight. Yuriko Katori was born in Japan and currently lives in New York City. Her printmaking and etching work concerns everyday life stories in often surrealistic approaches. Her spare use of color gives more focus on the great variety of line use.

Yuriko Katori art

Yuriko Katori art.

Yuriko Katori art

Yuriko Katori art in above image closer (photo c/o Anneliese Vobis).

Yuriko Katori art

Yuriko Katori and her art (photo c/o Anneliese Vobis).

Art by Yuriko Katori.

Yuriko Katori art at Kokoro Studio.

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Public Barber: Wrenovations - Wren.

Review and images by Anneliese Vobis: The artists work captures the invisible characteristics of human society. The expressive figurative style is the central point in Wrenovations, a painting solo show at the Public Barber Salon. Masked people in childlike formations and dressed in party togs, invite viewers to search for the hidden deeper meanings of life.

Wren art

Art by Wren.

Art by Wren closer.

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UC Berkeley Extension: Nine on the Line.

Artists: Jean Davis, Scott Durcanin, Heather Hayashi, Darpana Kapil, Fei Li, Cherie Pinsky, Susan Sternberg, Michelle Tan, Victor Zubeldia.

Review and images by DeWitt Cheng: This diverse group show features figurative and abstract drawings, paintings and mixed-media works, divided between UC Berkeley Extension's small 3rd Street ground-floor gallery and the hallway galleries on the second floor. Nice work!

Comment by AB: The artists are also students of Amy Berk's Portfolio Development & Professional Practices Course here at UCB Extension.

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Darpana Kapil with pastel/ink on paper triptych, "And They Sing."

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Scott Durcanin & acrylic on canvas, "W'retch," about the 2008 economic collapse.

Jean Davis & "Who Are You," from a portrait series based on photos of strangers.

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Heather Hayashi & poured acrylic latex on canvas, "Firebird," "Mambo," and "Tropicana."

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Fei Li with science-themed oil on canvas diptych, "Schrodinger's Cat."

Amy Berk (image c/o Alan Bamberger).

Art (image c/o Alan Bamberger).

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Intersection 5M at Fifth and Mission Streets: Art at the Dump - Twenty Years of the Artist In Residence Program at Recology.

Artists: Estelle Akamine, Ellen Babcock, Bill Basquin, Nemo Gould, James Gouldthorpe, David Hevel, Dee Hibbert Jones, Christina Mazza, Sirron Norris, Scott Oliver, Nicole Repack, Isis Rodriguez, James Sansing, Nathaniel Stookey, E. Banker White, Noah Wilson, more.

Review and images by Anneliese Vobis: "This exhibition celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the art and education program at Recology San Francisco, a one-of-a-kind initiative that enables artists to work with materials taken directly from the city of San Francisco's waste stream, while teaching the public about recycling and resource conservation."

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Art at the Dump 20-year retrospective.

Art at the Dump 20-year retrospective long view.

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111 Minna Gallery: Hot Freaks.

Artists: Jesse Balmer, Lango Nator, Joseph Aloi, Francesco Deiana Arnold, Oliver Hibert, Justin Lavato, Seth Scriver, Chris Brennen, Daryll Peirce.

Review by Clare Coppel: Hot Freaks (August 5-29) features nine artists. Bright colors, mystical beasts, giant trees with faces. Girls by Lango Nator, and the beginning of life by Joseph Aloi. Ball point pen drawings by Francesco Deiana Arnold.

Daryll Peirce artist art

Art by Daryll Peirce.

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Daryll Peirce art.

Art by Justin Lavato.

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Justin Lavato art in above image closer (photo c/o Clare Coppel).

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Joseph Aloi and his art (photo c/o Clare Coppel).

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Art by Lango Nator (killer hammered metal frames).

Art by Jesse Balmer.

Art by Lango Nator & Henry Lewis (right), Chris Brennen (9 on left).

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The Sycamore: Organismas.

Artists: Andrew Perry, Paul Hayes, Pete Doolittle, Scott Greenwalt, Spencer Gray.

Review and images by Anneliese Vobis: The deep red walls of the space are the best contrast for the artwork, which consists of drawing, painting and printmaking. Despite the many visitors the work captures our eyes and confronts us with the richness of the artists' natural transformations. Apologies on the images; difficult to photograph the show.

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