Last month I recommended a show entitled Sculpted Matter (still on exhibition until 8/17) at Paul Kasmin Gallery in Chelsea. This is a landmark group show including 21 accomplished, contemporary sculptors.
Now that you’ve had some Manhattan fun in three dimensions, venture a little further and take a trip to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to see a group show at Causey Contemporary.
That Voodoo That You Do by Jerold Ehrlich at Causey Contemporary
Boys With Toys is a 9-man compilation of ascending male artists exploring the nature of their interaction with their sculptural work.
Curator Tracy Causey-Jeffery assembled this group of artists after reviewing the portfolios of over 500 members of the International Sculpture Center. She chose works made by the sculptor’s own hand and mostly from steel.
Case Study no. 21 at Causey Contemporary
The Boys (with toys) rose to Ms. Causey-Jeffery’s challenge. Kudos to Norman Mooney, Arthur Mednick, Steven Dobbin, Alan Binstock, Jerold Ehrilch, John J. Richardson, Gunnar Theel, Bob Emser and Michael Whiting!
I enjoy these works for their jovial energy and can’t wait to see them in person at the opening this Friday. (For a reminder what Causey Contemporary looks like, check out our review of last year’s show below.) See you there!
- Jen Wallace
Boys With Toys Causey Contemporary
July 20 – August 26 Opening Reception: THIS FRIDAY, July 20, 6-9pm
92 Wythe Ave
Brooklyn, NY
In 2011 I recommended dozens of exhibitions and openings for readers of The Bare Square to check out. I attended many of the shows and enjoyed every minute. When I sat down to compile my list of top shows, I was initially going to make a top 5 list. After reviewing all the picks, I realized I saw too many good shows and great art to limit the list to just five!
Art afficianados will note the absence of blockbuster shows like Maurizio Cattelan, de Kooning, and others. Jen Recommends has generally focused on gallery shows, mostly by emerging artists, but often including established and even well-known artists.
So, without further ado, here are my Top 11 Jen Recommends Gallery Openings of 2011:
The great Kesting Ray Gallery (formerly Christina Ray Gallery) in Soho impressed with the artworks of Amze Emmons and Kevin Haas. Both artists create cleanly executed industrial landscapes that are meant to explore and foster dialogue. Check out the Art Seen video from the opening:
Tim Saternow creates some of the most beautiful watercolors I have ever seen…ever. His use of layering, depth and light make this artist’s work unparalleled! See what I mean in the video below:
It’s no surprise that Alyson Shotz’s work is in the Whitney and the Guggenheim’s permanent collections. Shotz shimmers with her mesmerizing, reflective installations and sculptures.
One of Germany’s most famous contemporary artists working today, Cosima Von Bonin, let us step into her world of whimsy, intensity and imagination with her fun show The Juxtaposition of Nothings at Freidrich Petzel Gallery back in April. It’s not only my top 8 show of the year, but also one of my all-time favorite videos we’ve produced to date:
David Ellis is a multidisciplinary, collaborative and inspirational artist. It was a great pleasure and a great experience attending his opening which bubbled over with energy. We’ll be sharing our experience with you shortly on the next episode of Art Seen…be sure to subscribe at Blip or check back here at The Bare Square!
Jordan Eagles creates beautiful, striking artworks…made from blood! (It’s pig’s or cow’s blood, but still a bit shocking to first-time viewers.) The composition and look amaze regardless of the media, but the use of blood challenges and engages the mind.
Joan Mitchell’s vibrant gestural works are iconic. When I view her work, my spirit lifts and I feel in tune with the artist and the artwork. She also has a mystical way of allowing the viewer to bring her own experiences and emotions to the interaction. It was a joy to see this great collection of her works from the last decade of her life.
This was a truly special opening with Dada works by Marcel Dzama! The show featured a film by the artist, as well as drawings, sculptures and dioramas inspired by the film filled the gallery. I felt like I was tumbling down a rabbit hole into the world of Dzama! In addition to the artwork, David Zwirner gallery really buzzed with energy that night with a fun, respectful, and engaged crowd.
Marc Dennis creates beautifully executed photo realistic paintings that explore dichotomies between the grotesque and the beautiful. The exhibition was absolutely a highlight of my year. If you watch the video below, you’ll see Marc’s dad standing next to him at one point! (He’s the gentleman in the gray suit.) Again, the combination of artwork and opening put this one in my top three.
I love Richard Serra…well his artwork anyway. I feel lucky every time I have the opportunity to experience his sculptures in person, which is the best, and really almost only way to experience his work. There is nothing like walking in, out and around his large scale sculptures as they tower over you.
Stephanie Lempert really hit a home run with her first sculptural exhibition. The striking and delicate artworks made out of a rapid prototype process are groundbreaking. The works are intimate, complex and contemplative while at the same time achieving great beauty and accessibility. Claire Oliver’s personal touch, welcoming attitude, and appreciated cooperation made the event that much more special. Stephanie is a well-spoken, thoughtful artist, and her innovative approach catapulted her opening to the top of my list.
Congratulations to Stephanie for being my top gallery opening for 2011!
If you’ve enjoyed the top 11 shows of 2011, then be sure to read The Bare Square in 2012. I’ll keep recommending the hottest art events and openings in NYC for you to check out, and you’ll be “up” on the best bite-sized art news from around the world.
This week on “Art Seen,” a special Halloween edition.
And you’re going to have a bloody good time.
New York-based artist Jordan Eagles creates artwork with animal blood. He created his first blood-work in 1998, but focused exclusively on the corpulent liquid (collected from slaughterhouses) in 2003. Suspending the organic material in resin with painterly and artistic care, his artwork re-imagines and provokes.
nAscent Art New York, publisher of The Bare Square, first showed the artwork of artist Jordan Eagles in one of its first exhibitions almost five years ago. Since then, Eagles and his bloody creations have enjoyed success upon success, including press coverage by the San Francisco Chronicle and New York Times, art awards from organizations like GLAAD, and even a world tour with rock-and-roll icon Alice Cooper, who featured Eagles’ work on a 50-foot curtain.
Jordan recently celebrated a much ballyhoo-ed one-artist show in Brooklyn, recommended by Jen last month right here at The Bare Sqauare. “Art Seen” went to the opening and talked to the artist. Enjoy the video below, and please share it with friends.
If you’re queasy just thinking about blood, be afraid. Be very afraid.
If you watch YouTube videos, subscribe to the “nascentart” channel, catch past episodes of Art Seen (and predecessor “Jen Recommends”), and get an e-mail update when we post our next video.
Happy Halloween!
[Special thanks to artist Jordan Eagles, gallery director Tracey Causey Jeffrey, Assistant Editor Iris Rodrigo.]
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This Friday night go see an exhibition in Brooklyn that is sure to be a stand-out show for the year. Unique by nature, Hemoglyphs, at Causey Contemporary, and a collaboration with Krause Gallery features artworks by Jordan Eagles…created with blood. But realize, his work is not about hype or spectacle. Jordan’s art is simply beautiful and spectacular.
Hemoglyphs will include a 16 ft. tall work preserving a piece of blood-soaked gauze in resin, in addition to 32 ft. long blood and resin mural.
Jordan has spent years exploring and mastering this contemplative medium. He salvages the blood he uses in his work from slaughterhouses.
His artwork can foster reflections on self awareness, life, death, nature and creation. Whether you love or hate the idea of artwork with blood, or are even just intrigued, you must attend this happening. Jordan Eagles’ work will most certainly evoke a reaction.
In 2007, nAscent Art New York (parent company of “the bare square”) featured Jordan as one of the artists in its first-ever exhibition. I’ve been following his work, and we’ve seen how his work has evolved. The opening of his solo show on Friday is a great opportunity to see his latest, grandest creations.
I’m anticipating a truly experiential show, and a vibrant opening to kick it off. For a taste, check out the preview video/trailer below.
Previously I shared with you my favorite major shows of 2010. Now here are my picks for best small shows of 2010 featuring the work of emerging artists.
Black and White at the Lana Santorelli Gallery, Oct. 23rd – Dec. 4, curated by their director Bess Sobota. Bess continually proves herself to be a fantastic young curator. Keep an eye on the Lana Sanotelli Gallery if you want to see thought-provoking shows both well-conceived and expertly executed– she really does a great job!
Feather Enso, Brook Reynolds, Lana Santorelli Gallery
Wall Flowers at Causey Contemporary Mar. 18 – Apr. 14th featured the work of contemporary sculptor Norman Mooney. Mooney’s work is somehow both jarring and calming. The sharp aluminum or resin sculptures jutted out from the walls and danced across the floor, making everyone in their presence spatially aware. Bravo!
Wall Flowers, Norman Mooney, Causey Contemporary
I’ve seen a ton of shows this year, and these shows featuring emerging artists stayed with me. There are so many talented emerging artists and curators in NYC, and the art you can see is unlike anywhere else in the world–I hope you got to experience some in person this year. What shows have you seen this year that you would like to mention? Please leave your remarks about great art shows in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you!
