6.28.2005

beware the art attack...

Greater New York 2005 at PS1: Through September 26th

Greater NY 2005 is a follow-up to the 2000 Greater NY show that launched the careers of Elizabeth Peyton (see earlier Art Attack on Contemporary Auctions) among others. People don't like this show because it's a desperate attempt to mine art schools and anticipate talent.

Important to note is the lack of female artists in the show that brought back the powerful 1980s Guerilla Girls for some protests when the show opened. Also, there was that hilarious fake press release that you can read here: (link).

Much to complain about, but there's some good art there and here are a few of my highlights:

The theme everyone loves to discuss is the intricate, delicate and modest drawing -- kind of the opposite of the Pollock, Picasso or even Basquiat bravado. Here's an example:



A theme of complex titles that give otherwise simple paintings bizarre meanings is intriguing. An example is Daniel Arsham's "Michael Graves got lost and found himself floating on the sea, affecting salination levels in the North Atlantic", which is a dark painting of an iceberg house. (Disclosure: A Little Birdie has a thing for icebergs.)

There is plenty of video and installation. A standout is David Ellis' "Granny (Drum, Painting Project version 5.0)", which is a sound and visual installation with drums and a sheet of connected pennies (money!$)



If you like kinky art and dirty pictures, certainly seek out Robert McKee's High Life which reminds me of arriving at a wild party at a transvestite stripper's place just after everyone left. Did everyone go to Lipps or Lucky Chengs?

Two of my top picks in sculpture is Courtney Smith's "Psiche Complexo"



a cool re-hinged woredrobe sculpture that can be reconfigured. And Kristen Hassenfeld's "Horn of Plenty Paper" could be my favorite piece in the show.



It's protestable, controversial, there's nudity, drug references, and money -- basically all the reasons you live in New York.

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just got smarter and more cultured. Yo me gusta. Thanks lil B.

6:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love getting a little culture first thing in the morning. Big fan of Modest Drawing I will be checking out this show fo sho.

8:03 AM  

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