A Stroll Through Chelsea

While all the Hottentots were busy with the Armory Show and its offshoots, Toto and I took time to take in a few shows in Chelsea. Here's what we saw:

KEN PRICE @ MATTHEW MARKS GALLERY - Fun, fun, fun. These witty ceramic works are finished with gorgeous painted surfaces that are channeling the spirit and voluptuousness of Austrian glass from the turn of the last century. We loved the deflated Macy's Thanksgiving Day float in luminous gold as we entered the front door and continued through the entire exhibit. A favorite: the tubular 360 tube in Loetz peacock blue!


Up until April 17, 2010 - VERY FUN! TOTO AND I BOTH SAY GO!!




JAN DIBBETS @ GLADSTONE GALLERY - Ellsworth Kelly meets Todd Hido. Deceptively simple photographs are juxtaposed at right-angles which combine the horizon lines contained in both photos. Varied photo sizes as well as placement on the larger paper field add enough variety to the mix while a perimeter line in graphite unite them. Fanciful and not unpleasant.


Up until January 16, 2010 - WORTH A LOOK!




BILL JENSEN @ CHEIM & READ - An 80's stalwart re-emerges as an apostle of abstract painting. Jensen has refined his palette and style to his benefit. His surfaces are less tortured then they once were and his color choices have brightened. Compact and well composed, many of these paintings are truly delightful. The show also features many black & white drawings that seem to reflect the artist's study of Chinese Philosophy, the escape hatch for most American Abstract Painters today.


Up until MARCH 27, 2010 - I APPRECIATED THE EFFORT MORE THAN TOTO! DEFINITELY FOR DIE-HARD PAINTHEADS!!



JOE BRADLEY & CHRIS MARCH @ MITCHELL-INNES & NASH - This two-man show juxtaposes the delicious painterly excesses of our city's foremost painters, Mr. March, with an acolyte of the Minimalist school, Mr. Bradley. The two play off each other well displaying a nice study in painterly composition and construction! Mr. March in particular shines with large exuberant paintings.


Up until March 27, 2010 - DON'T MISS!!

 Also seen:


WOLFGANG TILLMANS @ ANDREA ROSEN GALLERY - A sprawling photographic installation of Mr. Tillmans’ snapshots. I think Mr. Tillmans may have found his 'happy medium' in the large-scale photos in the smaller second gallery. These large vertical works seem to work best for his images. Lesson learnt, Mr. Tillmans? Let's hope so. WORTH A QUICK PEEK.


GARY SIMMONS @ METRO PICTURES GALLERY - These white on black images of movie palaces and drive-ins are nicely rendered and executed. The enormous wall drawing in the back gallery is a tour-de-force!! MAKE A WALK-THRU.


CANDIDA HOFER @ SONNABEND - More of the usual from Empress of the Interior. Cold and a bit more washed-out than usual. The standout image is in the rear gallery of the a wonderfully rococo interior littered with empty Phillip Stark Ghost Chairs. HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE BACK AND LOOK RIGHT. THEN LEAVE.


TONY SMITH @ GAGOSIAN GALLERY - A blue-chip show of America's grandfather of abstract sculpture. Simple, direct and nicely curated. IF YOU MUST.


PETER HALLEY @ MARY BOONE GALLERY - More Cells and Conduits in 80's day-glo and glitter. Does anyone still buy these? Does anyone still buy this? Hello Mr. Halley? 1988 is calling; it wants its hair scrunchy back. SKIP IT.

A GLEANER'S DINNER - Thoughts on Food Pt. 1

This holiday season we are thankful for:



1) DOSA GARDEN, 323 Victory Blvd (@ Cebra), Staten Island, NY 10301


This Indian restaurant, in the heart of the Island's Sri Lankan neighborhood, specializes in Southern Indian delicacies and does a magnificent job of preparing regional dishes such as vada, uttappam, and its namesake, dosa. Paper Masala Dosa is beautifully rolled and stuffed with a robustly spiced potato filling. More 'classic' Indian dishes are savory, rich and flavorful. Chicken Korma should be ordered with plenty of hot fresh naan bread to dip in this delectable sauce. Vegetarian dishes are outstanding, including some of the best palak paneer this side of the Pecos! And you can't go wrong with a samosa appetizer; the two veggie turnovers are richly stuffed and fresh. Did we mention reasonable? Decor could use some work but the service is always friendly and informed.


S61 S62 S66 S46 S48 to Cebra


2) PIER 76, 76 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10301


Heaven shone brightly on the North Shore of Staten Island this year with the opening of Pier 76. In easy walking distance to the ferry, this North Shore Italian eatery offers not only Joe & Pat's-style thin crust pizza, but inspired Nouveau Italian from its CIA trained owner. Call from the ferry and it's ready for pick-up by the time you walk there!! The 'fellas' did a lovely job of refurbishing the beautiful bar in the lovely appointed dining room. Check out the Caesar Salad pizza; sounds crazy, tastes delicious!!


2 stops on S46, S48, S52, S61, S62, S66, S74, S76 - Bay & Central




3) Pita Joe's, 2 W 14 St, New York, NY 10011


At the crossroads of uptown/downtown east/west this fab little eatery produces some of the best falafel I've had in NYC in years! Joe is a hard core Israeli and it come out in his falafel; crisp, flavorful & satisfying. Chicken cutlets, schnitzeled or grilled, are also available, along with salads and platters. Joe also offers an interesting selection of flavored lemonades. A fabulous, reasonable lunchtime treat!!


To be continued...

A WALK THROUGH CHELSEA

Dropping our postcard entry off at VisualAIDS, we took a quick peek at a few exhibits in Chelsea. Here's what we saw:

NORBERT SCHWONTKOWSKI "ANGSTRŒM" @ MITCHELL-INNES & NASH - A remarkably delightful show of paintings by this 60 year old German artist in his first New York solo exhibition. Schwontkowski has taught in Germany for years and he makes me want to enroll for my MFA over there. A gracious mix of fancy and simplicity, these are some of the most painterly paintings I've seen in NY in quite some time. A Balthus-like precociousness presents images that are disarmingly naive yet show a masterful hand in drawing and application of paint.

Up until January 9, 2010 - DON'T MISS!!

ANNA JÓELSDÓTTIR "priest chews velvet haddock" @ STUX GALLERY - A compelling installation by this Icelandic artist. A frantic, ecstatic energy charges through these works, especially the installation works that have a Mad Hatter quality. The work that provides the title for the show is a phantasmagorical cascade of mylar tattooed and tinted in a highly detailed fashion.

Up until January 9, 2010 - WORTH A LOOK!!




PETER FISCHLI/DAVID WEISS "SUN, MOON & STARS" @ MATTHEW MARKS - An encyclopedic work by the leader alchemists of the art world. A dizzying series of tables provide a chromatic study of magazine advertisements that also follow a bizarre uncanny narrative. Entertaining and engaging up close, I had wished there was a bit MORE room in the gallery to display their larger essence. "CLAY AND RUBBER" at the gallery's 24th St Outpost is another anthology, this of 24 everyday objects cast in one of the two title materials. Masterfully done, I couldn't help get the feeling I was in a really high-end Home Depot!
Up until January 16, 2010 - WORTH A LOOK!




LYNDA BENGLIS @ CHEIM & READ - Large scale bronze wall hangings and free-standing objects. I like the general drift of these pieces, especially the two "Swinburne" pieces which are cast in tinted polyurethane. I start to run into problems here with the general surface of the work, which can be best described as wormy scatological. The two pink pieces redeem an otherwise unremarkable show.
Up until January 2, 2010 - TAKE A QUICK PEEK!




Also seen:


CHARLES RITCHIE "BOOKS & PAGES: 2004 - 2009" @ BRAVINLEE PROGRAMS - A lovely show of works on paper. Beautifully illumined pages are peppered with spidery script-scrawl. Masterful watercolors. Worth a trip in the 526 W 26th St building. STRAIGHTFORWARD & HONEST.


MATTHEW RITCHIE @ ANDREA ROSEN GALLERY - A monumental multimedia installation. Ambitious in scope it doesn't hold together as well as ANNA JÓELSDÓTTIR Anna Joeldottir's installation @ Stux. Make a walk through to take in the small Gallery 2 show of Pop icons, most notably a soft Oldenburg clothespin! Philadelphia Freedom!! MAKE A WALK-THRU.


CLIFFORD ROSS @ SONNABEND - Ross continues his study of ocean waves, an oeuvre that I not taken to in the past. But the artist has given these new prints are wider horizontally, echoing a film screen, and printed the image with archival pigment inks which provie these works a depth and substance they lacked previously. AN IMPRESSIVE STEP FORWARD.


SEAN SCULLY @ GALERIE LELONG - Luscious unremarkable paintings by a major American painter. one painting, LANDBAR, struggles to break the mold. IF YOU MUST.


ERIC FISCHL @ MARY BOONE - An uneventful exhibition by a major player on the painting scene. Matadors and nemeses in flashy style. Wonder where Mr. F will vacation next. SKIP IT.

Memento Mori

Lou Jacobi


Nancy Spero


Soupy Sales

YOU WILL BE MISSED.

I ACCUSE PETER GREENAWAY - Peter Greenaway's "Rembrandt's J'accuse"

Well, where to begin?


Let's keep it simple shall we?


This is the slickest art lecture ever captured on film! Greenaway draws on numerous images the director has employed in his past theater and film works, as well as an arsenal of Photoshop graphics to make the case that one of Rembrandt's most well-known and revered works is a visual accusation of murder and deceit. In 86 minutes we learn more about 17th century Dutch militia painting, its properties, Italian triumphal arches, chiaroscuro lighting, deliberate misrepresentations of height proportions, two mysterious women, a musket and innumerable other factoids all spun together with costume recreations and AVID editing.

If only the director/narrator weren't such a drone!


Visually ravishing and creatively edited, I only fell asleep twice!!

A Walk Through Chelsea

Between dropping off some books at a dealers and having drinks with a friend after work, we were able to take in a few shows. Here's what we saw:

JACK PIERSON "ABSTRACTS" @ Cheim + Read - A handsome solo installation by a talented mid-career artist. The show features all wall relief work. Pierson has not lost his touch composition and display. Flourish, 2009 features possible remains from an old Pepsi-Cola sign arranged as a lovely, mysterious pirouette. Towards the back of the large gallery space, Pierson has pieces which have a different dynamic; longer titled works accompanying briefer, more cryptic reliefs that pay homage to Abstract Expressionism and the gesture. Shades of Rothko, Gottlieb and Kline keep coming to mind while viewing these pieces.

Up thru Nov. 14th - WORTH A VISIT




JUSTINE KURLAND 'THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY' @ MITCHELL-INNES & NASH - A large show of photographs inspired by the nomadic culture of the hobo. Handsomely formatted and hung. Kurland continues to grow as a photographer. Her landscape works has continued to mature and proves to be some of the more impressive work in the exhibit.
Up thru Nov. 14th - WORTH A LOOK!!




MAGNUS PLESSEN @ GLADSTONE GALLERY - A show of flashy paintings by this German painter. These works are all about surface and not much else. Technically intriguing, visually bland.
Closed Oct. 24th - LUCKY YOU!!


Also seen:


JANINE ANTONI: UP AGAINST @ LUHRING AUGUSTINE - A puzzling installation of photographs, installation and sculpture. A large noisy installation entitled Tear consists of an 11 foot video projection of the artist's eye in a room with and industrial wrecking ball. The series of small copper sculptures in the front gallery are not merely gargoyles, but devices for women to urinate standing up. A large color photograph of the artist using the 'device' near the gargoyles of the Chrysler Building serves as an instruction manual. Closed Oct. 24th - LUCKY YOU!!


ANSELM REYLE & TAKASHI MURAKAMI @ GAGOSIAN GALLERY - Pop Art meets Arte Povera by the former, a large colorful painting by the latter. Reyle's work has the fun and tang of a glass of champagne: you enjoy it at the beginning but probably hard to bear in the harsh light of a hung-over morning. Murakami's large canvas has rekindled my hope that this artist can actually produce artwork and not just manufacture kitsch.


TIM RODA @ DANIEL COONEY GALLERY: an interesting installation by an architect turned photographer. Taken in Italy and using his family as models, Roda creates and recreates a wondrous world of myth. The prints hang raw on the wall; many are on uneven cut pieces of paper. The artist has a good visceral sense of image. We look forward to more. UP THRU OCT. 31 - WORTH A LOOK


JAUME PLENSA 'IN THE MIDST OF DREAMS' @ GALERIE LELONG - Three enormous resin heads lit from within are the centerpiece of this show, but the pieces that really stand out are the elongated stone heads that are raw and broken at the top.

VIA CON DIOS, MI CAFE - Starbuck's VIA Instant Coffee

I am probably considered by Starbuck's marketing as an 'incidental' client. Not working in an office building, I am long out of the daily habit of the daily grind. My trips into Starbuck's are coincidental (there's one a block from a pharmacy I patronize) and basically to restock my supply of Double Shots, their canned coffee and cream drink, which, at $2.10 a pop, is real Starbuck's value.


On my past three visits I've been queried by staff as to my familiarity with the company's latest product/innovation VIA, its answer to instant coffee. And who am I to resist a hard sell and special introductory pricing?


So, have they surmounted the wishy-washy stigma of instant coffee?


I have sampled both 'flavors' or blends, 'medium' or Columbian and 'extra bold' or Italian roast. It should be noted that both 'flavors' have a slightly oily taste and quality, which makes straight black coffee drinking a bit tough. Besides that, neither of them are watery in their flavor.


Of the two, the latter is much more drinkable. Being a light and sweet drinker these days, the Italian roast makes a flavorful cup that I would make again. And at $1.00 / 8 oz cup it comes out as a Starbuck's bargain.

Irving Penn: A tribute

A very nice hommage to a master photographer.

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/parting-glance-irving-penn/

Memento Mori

Nat Finkelstein

Marty Forscher

Irving Penn

Our eyes will be dimmer.

SIGNS @ THE TIMES: Moveable Type in the NY Times lobby

While waiting for a friend to arrive from Montreal at the Port Authority, we sat out the delay over in the lobby of the 'new' New York Times building directly across Eighth Avenue.

This gave us an excellent opportunity to take in "Moveable Type", the fascinating installation my the artists Ben Rubin and Mark Hansen. We first encountered these two at the Whitney Museum of American Art where they had installed "Listening Post" in the small gallery off the lobby. This remarkable piece used technological 'spiders' to forage through Internet chat room, postings, and IMs to gather instances and phrases that all shared a common word or phrase; "I am 50 years old" and "I am just wearing socks". These gleaned words and phrases were then displayed in a neat grid of small led display panels. The end result was an engrossing piece which could suck the viewer in for hours without repetition or boredom.

With "Moveable Type" the art duo have taken the concept of "The Listening Booth" and broadened it, both in size and scope. Taking up both sides of a long, wood-paneled entry corridor, the walls are lined with an array of 6" by 1" LED displays totaling an area of 20 feet high by 53 feet long. Using the New York Times and its archives as fodder, the team has set up various searches and function that these walls of information perform. Sometimes the information is so quick its hard to read; with a static sizzle of the screens, it appears and disappears. Occasionally a 'wind' of information sweeps across each wall, sometimes leaving random panels of information for awhile, sometimes not. One feature presents columns of pronouns juxtaposed next to each other. For instance, "I know this works." sits on a screen to the left of one reading "You tie the dog in the yard." I-You is stacked over We-They which is placed over He-She and the phrases keep shifting and changing until the wall are blank and dark. To keep things from being totally word based, occasionally the screens tick out the outlines of states and countries in the news. Then suddenly the hall fills with a wonderful Phillip Glass-like cadenza of electronic keyboards as NY Times stories rapidly rise up the columns of the walls, the music finally fading with the last of the final story.

A favorite function of ours was what we refer to a the 'number pull' (see video above). As numbers appear in the lower right corner of each screen, a phrase or line from the paper with that particular number is typed across the upper line of the screen. The screens build and build with more numbers and fade to a final number 1. Another favorite is the letters to the editors display. The halls fill with the harsh clack of an old typewriter and the letters "To The Editor:" are typed out on the LED screens. As the actual letters start to appears and fill the other screens a growing mummer of the tapping of computer keyboards accumulates and fades. Finally there is the information drawn from the Weddings section of the paper. As a screen fills with information about this person or that it gets surrounded by a simple line box which then continues its journey across other screens until it reaches another screen containing information about another person, presumably a relative or family member. We are presented with an active growing family tree right before out eyes, all to the accompaniment of the sound of touch-tone dialing!

We spent almost two hours wandering up and down the hall on the Times and were not bored for a single minute! Stop in, its well worth a trip uptown (or down)!!