There was the meat dress. The poultry-nest headpiece. The Kermit cape. The raven-feathered neck brace, complete with matching plumed accoutrements. The plexi-egg birthing of “Born This Way” at the 2011 Grammys. Blood-on-lace in her 2009 VMA performance. Not to mention Gaga’s oft-rumored plans of an impending lettuce dress.
And now, in the spirit of defying the strictures of biological classification, presenting Visionaire magazine’s “Larger Than Life” issue, featuring a fish-femme Lady Gaga, slicked in all the trappings of the Gulf Coast oil spill. The magazine’s cover story, shot by Dutch art-editorial photo duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, is the second coming of Gaga’s mermaid preoccupation — she previously donned her fish-woman garb in the recent release of the “Yoü And I” video earlier this summer.
Greasy and coming to a speciality bookstore near you: Lady Gaga. (Courtesy Photo: The Telegraph)
“There is no oil too thick as to destroy the imagination,” reads the caption that accompanies the image.
And nothing more opaque than the abstract rantings of an ego-driven superstar.
In fact, Gaga has had much to say on the subject of mer-people in interviews past: “No matter what you do, there’s this giant boundary between you and someone else,” she said during her MTV First special in August. “So that’s what it’s about, perceiving in your imagination that there’s something magical inside of you, that you can make it work.”
So there’s creativity. There’s separation of self and other. The logistics of finned lovemaking.
“Wouldn’t a stand against ocean pollution be more meaningful?” asks a staff writer at the London based arts website, The Improper.
Regardless of symbolism, the image is as arresting as the scale of the magazine itself, a five-by-seven-foot publication released but three times a year, earning it Guinness World Record for the largest magazine in history. The scarcity of its 2,500 copy circulation contrasts the heft of its girth and its $1500 price tag. For those without a super-sized bookcase to house the life-size issue, a standard cut is available for $375, with only a three-foot diameter.
Now we all know Dawn is tough on grease, but that is a whole lot of economy-sized dish soap.
Brian Dewan, Ink and watercolor on paper (Drawing from “The Tide Waits For No Man” Film Strip) at Pierogi gallery
His fourth show at the gallery, Brian Dewan’s exhibition explores concepts of being human through a variety of senses. Dewan creates “Film Strips” – drawings, an accompanying story and narration, as well as music and sound effects. The Tide Waits for No Man serves as the artist’s literal translation of the word tide and the effects of the moon on Earth and us. He approaches this concept with whimsy and reminds us that we are not in control no matter how hard we try to be.
“Film Strips” are a form of projected image that progresses in slideshow form. They were originally used in schools from the 1920s through the ’70s, and were typically dryly informative on dull subjects. When using this technology, image frames are advanced by hand, frame-by-frame with an accompanying narrative. Dewan uses this technique to express his own informative, often cautionary stories that are at the same time deadpan and humorous.
Bagnolo Series W3 by David Scher at Pierogi Gallery
The exhibition in Pierogi’s gallery #2 includes new drawings created by David Scher while he was living in Marseille, France, this past year. Like Dewan, Sher’s show will be his fourth held at the gallery. The drawings explore the nature of communication through text-based and illustrative means.
“Tired of being spoken to? Look at these drawings. Letters hover waiting assignment. Books are where letters clam up.” said Sher about his gestural stories incorporating text and imagery that take the viewer on their own journey. MoMA’s permanent collection includes Scher’s work.
See these two great artists (+ more if you’re feeling adventurous – WGA) this Friday night in Brooklyn.
- Jen Wallace
Brian Dewan - The Tide Waits for No Man (Gallery 1)
David Scher – Between the Acts: the Bagnolo Suite (Gallery 2)
Oct. 14 – Nov. 13 Opening Reception: Friday Oct. 14, 7-9pm Pierogi gallery 177 N. 9th St.
Brooklyn, NY
Next Tuesday opens a preview exhibition of major works donated to the Artists for Haiti Auction at David Zwirner Gallery.
The auction includes work donated by twenty-five significant artists. Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, Louise Bourgeois, Dan Flavin, Jasper Johns are just a few names off of this star studded list of artists.
The full collection of works available for auction will be on view at Christie’s from September 17-20th and the auction will be held on Thursday September 22nd at 7pm.
It’s wonderful that art dealer David Zwirner and actor Ben Stiller conceived an event that is sure to have a positive impact on Haiti. With the support of President Bill Clinton and a list of all-star artists this auction is sure to make a splash.
The Bare Square team plans to head to David Zwirner Gallery on Tuesday to be one of the first to preview these works. You can be one of the first too…head to David Zwirner on Tuesday. The preview exhibition is only up for 4 days…then it moves to Christie’s.
David Zwirner
525 West 19th Street
New York, NY
Preview Exhibition Tue 9/6, 6-8pm
Make sure to check out Kulsoom’s article about Artists for Haiti for more detials, images, and a really cool/funny video with Ben Stiller & President Bill Clinton.
Check back at The Bare Square on Tuesday when I’ll be recommending another awesome opening for next Thursday 9/8!
If you didn’t get a chance to visit Alyson Shotz’ sculptural installation artwork at the Derek Eller Gallery in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City, here’s your chance. The still photo of Standing Wave, from a 2010 exhibit, only hints at how brilliant and beautiful Shotz’ work can be.
Standing Wave (2010) by Alyson Shotz. Her fifth solo show at Derek Eller Gallery recently concluded. (Photo credit: Wayfaring.info)
Abby Mesitte, the Director of Derek Eller, shares a little about Alyson’s artwork. Two of the shimmering pieces shown in the video are comprised of dichroic acrylic, a clear plastic that reflects and refracts the ambient light around it, creating an ethereal beauty better seen in person. When you see it on the video, you’ll make it a point to catch her next exhibit!
Don’t miss Jen’s recommendations every week here at The Bare Square. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, “like” us on Facebook, and look for our free subscription, coming soon. Tell your friends!
Here’s the video for Jen’s recent opening recommendation on “Jen Recommends.” Jen attended the opening of the Ana Cristea Gallery exhibit of Caroline Walker’s show in New York City. Walker, a Scottish artist, creates artwork that explores scenes from multiple angles, giving the work a voyeuristic quality.
Personally, I love the mirror effect. It reminds me of the final scene of the classic Bruce Lee martial arts movie, Enter The Dragon. Sort of. See for yourself here (starting at 3:33).
We’ll have another video for you tomorrow. For now, enjoy this special weekend edition of The Bare Square!
- James Wallace
[Editor's Note: Special thanks to intern Stevenson Opoku for his help with editing, titles, and assistant camera work. Also, we'd love for as many people as possible to see the video, so please share by clicking the buttons below. Just takes a couple clicks--thanks!]
