Author Archives: jolanta
Unearthing Classification – Laura McLean-Ferris
Beneath the appealing landscapes of plants and flowers afforded by Europe’s most celebrated botanical gardens lies a story of rigorous classification and organization: an 18th Century project that still makes its presence felt today. Unearthing Classification Laura McLean-Ferris Alison Turnbull, Site, 2005. Oil on canvas. Courtesy of the artist and Matt’s Gallery, London. Beneath the […]
A Vacuous Signifier for an Emergent Biennial City – Ralph Darbyshire
Liverpool lies on the northwest coast of England. It is renowned for its sporting prowess, its mongrel wit, and for being the home of the Beatles. The city is important both historically and culturally. A Vacuous Signifier for an Emergent Biennial City Ralph Darbyshire Sarah Lucas, Self Portrait with Fried Eggs, 1996. Courtesy of Tate. […]
Gabriel Orozco at Marian Goodman – Elwyn Palmerton
It’s not unusual to encounter a show that’s actually two shows–a totally bifurcated affair. Installation artists do it with their sprawling installations, leaving gallery back rooms to smaller (sellable) work. Gabriel Orozco at Marian Goodman Elwyn Palmerton Gabriel Orozco, Project Table, 2005. Table, sculpture, mixed media. Inv.#10206. Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery. It’s not unusual […]
Artificial Arrangement – Michelle Gonzalez Valdez
Faux flora thrives in a humble house that doubles as an art gallery known as Sala Diaz in San Antonio, Texas. Artist Leigh Anne Lester cultivates genetically modified plants through layered, graphite drawings on mylar. Artificial Arrangement Michelle Gonzalez Valdez Courtesy of the artist Faux flora thrives in a humble house that doubles as an […]
Yuriko Yamaguchi – Catherine Walworth
Yuriko Yamaguchi’s Web #5 is a paradox of rushing movement and absolute stillness. A tornado turned on its side, its nest of bent wire, sprinkled with organic, papery pods, swarms from a hole in the gallery wall. Yuriko Yamaguchi Catherine Walworth Yuriko Yamaguchi, WEB #5. Yuriko Yamaguchi’s Web #5 is a paradox of rushing movement […]
Street Level Photoworks, Glasgow – Mitchell Miller
When city planners cast an eye on an area and bandy the words "urban renewal," "urban regeneration" or simply "development," alarm bells often ring among local artists. Street Level Photoworks, Glasgow Mitchell Miller courtesy of the artist When city planners cast an eye on an area and bandy the words "urban renewal," "urban regeneration" or […]
On the Lam – D. Dominick Lombardi
Rarely, am I charmed by an artist’s work. It happened in San Antonio, Texas, at the WAX (Writers and Artists Exchange) where hundreds of artists gathered to hear the comments of a dozen visiting critics and editors. On the Lam D. Dominick Lombardi Wai Ching Lam, “Hundred Nights Series,” 2001-2005. Acrylic on canvas, 36 x […]
Future Tensed – Mitchell Miller
"We are not afraid of the future," declared Tomas Bata, the famous (and to some, infamous) Moravian entrepreneur. "The shoemaker to the world" and his synonymous descendants not only manufactured shoes, but societies, each a facsimile of Bata’s own town of Zlin, the heartland of his Empire. Future Tensed Mitchell Miller courtesy of the artist […]
Not Just Another Brick in the Wall – Erin Scime
From October 21, 2005 through January 29, 2006, The Wall: Reshaping Contemporary Chinese Art was one of the most significant exhibitions of the Albright-Knox’s recent history. Not Just Another Brick in the Wall Erin Scime Xu Bing, Ghosts Pounding the Wall, 1990-1991. Installation: rice paper, ink, soil, and mixed media. Image courtesy Xu Bing Studio. […]
Magic with light, water and a sponge (forget the smoke and mirrors) – Janna Schoenberger
Stepping into a dark room was what I least expected from Olafur Eliasson’s new exhibition "Motion Notion," considering his acclaimed The Weather Project, a representation of the sun and sky in the Turbine Hall, from 2004 at the Tate Modern. Magic with light, water and a sponge (forget the smoke and mirrors) Janna Schoenberger Olafur […]
