DAY 2778 - Psicoliquiatría 15

Artwork by Larisa Bernardo Saavedra

DAY 2776 - Flores Regalonas

Painting by Michael Yaikel

What we ask is Simple - Review

    Hank Willis Thomas’ recent solo show ‘What we ask is Simple’ at Jack Shainman Gallery was clever and fun.  The show came down May 12, 2018.  The work recontextualizes political photography.  It asks ”If no one is there to witness the event, did it happen?  What power does it have beyond the moment?”  Political art is powerful because it carries on.  It is copiable, and multiplies beyond the event. 

    The work functions uniquely as it is activated by bright light. Flash photography is encouraged, glasses with lamps attached are available and a phone’s light will work as well.  The artwork has a similar quality to a heat sensitive toy that reveals a message as they change when hit with light, the surprise change is part of the fun.  A simple artistic image of the American flag turns into a violent brawl, where the flag is being used as a weapon agains oppression when the flash strikes the work.  Others highlight an individual protester but illuminate the crowd afterwards.   This highlights the relationship of ones self to society or the individual to the community.  A small unit can contribute to a part of a bigger whole.  As viewers take on the role of the photographer capturing the scene with their light, they can contemplate the event more personally by placing themselves at the scene and connecting to it.  

   The works are elegant, and present journalistic photography in an incredibly smart and original way that allows for active involvement of the viewer.  Check Jack Shainman Gallery’s site for upcoming exhibitions, support Hank Willis Thomas by visiting their site and as always follow @sharks_eat_meat for daily art and regularly posted reviews.  

by John Coulter

DAY 2775 - SUSPENSIÓN 2

Textile Art by Ana Teresa Barboza

"Solar Rhythms" Review

Tomás Saraceno’s solo show ‘Solar Rhythms’ at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery is on display through June 9, 2018.  This otherworldly show is at the cross section of art and science and the installation and videos feel like they are straight from an elegant science fiction movie set.  Giant orbs float like a space station, or more specifically a high altitude weather balloon.  The all black and white palette almost makes you feel as if you are in an old film, or a guest star in the moon landing footage.  Ghostly lights cast ethereal silhouettes around the room

   The sculpture works also contain an audio element.  There is a tension in the soundscape present with the work.   The audio is gathered from the sculptures and a machine interprets data from the vibrations of the strings attached to the forms.  As the air in the room shifts and stirs the works seem to breath.

    Videos and additional sculptural works were available upstairs.  The video is displayed in an artful way with abstract forms majestically gliding over a bold landscape like a kite or UFO.  It’s nice to see the pieces in their environment in Argentina.  The video further shows how the DIY kits gather data with the customizable art machines

    Tanya Bonakdar Gallery retains Tomás Saraceno as a regular in their roster,  stop by to see this show and others.  Don’t forget to follow @sharks_eat_meat for daily art and reviews, and please share our site with your friends.

DAY 2774 - FloraFauna

Artwork by Mary Iverson

DAY 2773 - Labyrinth (mountain)

Salt by Motoi Yamamoto

DAY 2772 - Son Stroke

Painting by Justin Bower

DAY 2771 - Johannes

Artwork by Dimitris Ladopoulos  

DAY 2770 - Bound to be Together

Painting by Kristen Liu-Wong

DAY 2769 - Sailing Around NYC 30

Photography by Trevor Hawkins

ARTHUB - Chelsea

    Arthub Is one of Chelsea’s newest galleries.  Located at 9th Ave and 21st St, the space opened in spring 2018 and their first show went to artist Chinon Maria.  Arthub successfully blends a full art gallery with a small cafe, creating a welcoming environment amongst the often exclusive and alienating Chelsea art scene.  Chinon has transformed the site into a wonderfully warm and colorful space to see local work, sip a tea and read about art. 

    Her work could be described as Matisse meets Diego Rivera.  Colorful displays of women in powerful working scenes;  imagery not currently seen in our culture.  A large mural is prominently displayed in the back and street signs painted and decorated with bright cut-outs give the work a New York street art aesthetic while retaining a cheery vibe.  Chinon is known in New York for her vibrant mural near the World Trade Center and it is nice to see her work collected here.  

    Stop by Arthub seven days a week to see local artists and grab a snack.  They have monthly exhibitions planned as well as artist talks.  Michele Utley Voigt has a lovely exhibition on display until the end of May and Diana Wege will follow with a solo show in June.   As always look to SharksEatMeat for all your contemporary art and culture news. 

Follow @sharks_eat_meat

by John Aaron Coulter

DAY 2768 - A Million Years in a Second

Painting by Shae Meyer

DAY 2767 - Tiny House (Purple)

Textile art by Ann Tilley

DAY 2766 - Sleep

Artwork by Jacob Crook

DAY 2765 - Reject Violence

Lithography by Diana Wege

DAY 2764 - Shadow Wings

Photography by Elisa Garcia de la Huerta

DAY 2763 - Perrita Wifi

Painting by Álvaro Izquierdo

DAY 2762 - People and their Myths I

Artwork by Cecilia Beaven

DAY 2761 - Omaha 28

Photography by Trevor Hawkins

DAY 2760 - Ofocina

Collage by Andrés Gamiochipi

DAY 2759 - Mural en el cc. 25 de Mayo

Mural by Paula Duró and Alejandro Sordi

DAY 2758 - Astronaut v. Alien

Painting by Kristen Liu-Wong

DAY 2757 - Carl Sagan

Photography by James Meyer - Model, Cierra Morris

DAY 2756 - NIMETA LEATHER JACKET FENCE 07

Photography & Hair by Angela McCormick

DAY 2755 - Nightmare City VIII

Drawing by Gordon Rabut

DAY 2754 - He Rapes Easy

Painting by Despina Stokou

DAY 2753 - Grid III

Photography by John Coulter

DAY 275 - Bather

Painting by Kristen Liu-Wong

REVIEW: Art New York, presented by Art Miami w/ CONTEXT NYC.

   REVIEW:  Art New York, presented by Art Miami w/ CONTEXT NYC.

Hey art lovers!  SharksEatMeat had unlimited VIP access to Art New York fair at piers 92 & 94 in New York City, and we're showing you highlights from the fair. We’ll give details on several notable galleries and artists booths as well as all the usual trendy trash from outdated Warhols, and an overabundance of flashy new media art.

Few exhibitors did much to creatively break up the viewing space -  or make it anything but a strip mall gallery of framed paintings hung at eye level.  Thankfully several booths such as Vellum Projects and Adrien Brody broke this mold and shook things up a bit.  However too many failed to utilize the space or make themselves stand out from the crowd amongst the almost 100 exhibitors.

Adrien Brody’s “Metamorphosis: Transformation of the Soul” looked like a grad student's crowded work studio in the best way possible.  The installation was funky, immersive and thoughtfully crafted.  He utilized the venue fully and stood out amongst other exhibitors.   It’s nice to see artists take risks and attempt new things. 

One of my favorite series at the NYC art fair this year was Frank Hyder’s giant glowing head sculpture and accompanying paintings part of the “Janis Project” featured at Project Gallery Miami.  They had a godly surreal quality to them.  A distant relative of the Olmecs maybe?  They apparently spend most of their time as a revolving installation on a cruise ship.  The changing lights seem perfect for a garden or outdoor space.  I’d love to see the changing lights cast across flora at night.  The paintings add to the mythology and are more traditional to hang in a home.  Please visit their website. 

 

 

The Vellum Projects Booth had another of my favorite series; the 'Reject Violence' campaign by Diana Wege.  Wege’s prints are a direct statement put out as a public intervention to change the culture of violence.  Throughout the year these bold, saturated messages occupy the exact same spaces of major advertisers in bus shelters, phone booths, kiosks, and taxi tops.  At the fair the lithographs are plastered across the gallery booth and framed nicely as an installation.  Visit the artists website, and follow #rejectviolence to learn more.  

Jeon Nak, of Able Fine Art, presented impressive 3D lenticular, new media work that is worth stopping by and seeing in person.  My video will not do them justice.  Their art reminds me of the high quality work at the Chicago hologram museum.  It’s an enjoyable booth.  Many fairs and biennales these days include new media art including sound art, relief op art, or lenticular works, but few exceed in truly exploring the new mediums.  This trend was certainly rampant at Art New York this year.  Many fall short of applying an effect to their existing body of art work.  Jeon Nak goes above and beyond and creates compelling new works that function only in their new mediums. 




Federico Uribe of Cavalier Galleries featured incredible animal sculptures.  Unlike Jeff Koon’s hollow, shiny animals these sculptures showcase labor and craft.  While not overt many of the animals are made of bullet casings and shells.  The giant panther and gold cats instantly catch your eye and demand further investigation.  The meticulously crafted works would be an excellent conversation piece for any collection. 

Some honorable mentions worth including are Magdealena Murua’s geometric patterns of comics, as well as Craig Alan’s carefully spray-painted portraits of crowds forming celebrities.  There’s something clever about the fans forming the icon of the celebrity in Craig’s work.  

To recap, Diana Wege, Adrien Brody and Frank Hyder were my favorite artists of the show.  If you’re in New York, stop by the Art New York fair for an enjoyable selection of contemporary art.  Follow SharksEatMeat for more VIP access reviews to art shows and all your art and culture updates. 

Review by John Coulter

@sharks_eat_meat