DAY 2801 - Awake 06

Photography by Fábio Miguel Roque

DAY 2800 - Cosy in my Mind

Painting by Gary Frier

DAY 2799 - Crocodilo

Painting by Álvaro Izquierdo

Rockman Review

 Alexis Rockman’s recent attention is greatly undeserved.  His works rob wall space from artists with more merit. His paintings have always failed to inspire and often rely on effects in lieu of technique.  The themes presented are the simplest illustration of an idea.  Never a metaphorical allegory, think New Yorker comic strip.  The first thing that comes to your mind is cartoonish illustration. Rockman is somehow more illustrative and kitsch than Rockwell.  

   ‘Gowanus’ unfortunately feels a little flat.  A little un-lived in.  Like a diorama.  It seems to belong as a mural in a dated shopping mall.  Works such as ‘Soccer’ while awesome as an idea, remind one more of a 90’s t-shirt than a fine art painting.  Here the future of body modification is interesting but fails as a painting; which is disappointing because the messages he depicts are important.  While the surreal image ‘The Farm’ seems to reference Dalí, the theme of GMO’s and the environment come off as gags and not a successful call to action.  

   His work ‘South,’ at Mana Contemporary this winter, seems to be a step in the right direction.  Missing are the exaggerated and garish figures.  A subtler approach is successfully employed allowing the audience to contemplate the landscape.  It doesn’t hit the viewer over the head with the idea as many of his past works have.  The icebergs are painted quite nicely.  Rockman captured the harshness and the delicateness of the ice as it melts.  

   Follow Rockman’s career at his website and stay tuned to Sharks Eat Meat for daily contemporary art and reviews.  

Review by John Coulter

Photo of Rockman's work by Thom Sanchez

DAY 2798 - Gebouw II

Painting by Wouter Hisschemöller

DAY 2797 - D’arcy

Painting by Andrés Gamiochipi

DAY 2796 - Georgia

Paintings by Diana Wege

DAY 2795 - Nimeta Portrait

Photography by Angela McCormick - Model Nimeta Music

DAY 2794 - God Vishnu measures the Universe in three strides

Drawing by Cecilia Beaven

DAY 2793 - Hidrotenna

Painting by Álvaro Izquierdo

DAY 2792 - Immature Bald Eagle in Flight

Photography by Mike Coulter

DAY 2791 - Gebouw I

Painting by Wouter Hisschemöller

DAY 2790 - Emoji Poem IV

Painting by Despina Stokou

DAY 2789 - Fig Mother Rest

Photography by Elisa Garcia de la Huerta

DAY 2788 - Altered Frederick Church (Earth Requiem)

Painting by Diana Wege

DAY 2787 - Frackasaurus

Sculpture by Evan Hobart 

DAY 2786 - Paisajes Metafîsicos

Artwork by Curro Gómez

Grab n’ Go - Review

    Meredith Sands’ ‘Grab n’ Go’ at Nancy Margolis Gallery in New York is playful and approachable.  The works are cleverly hung, forcing you to explore the gallery. Which is something I find often necessary to maintain interest in the highly formulated white-walled contemporary art world.  It is important to break the mold, not only with the work itself but the display and context as well. 

   The works themselves tackle themes of fast food and consumer culture with a folky art brut hand and an absurdist’s humor.  A deeply saturated palette with simple forms and shapes slap the viewer in the face with ideas of consumption and compulsion.  There is a quality of instant gratification within the simplicity of the works; they scream NOW.  If Basquiat was a wanderer, Sands is a seasoned tour guide on a mission.  Sands wields the wild aesthetic to suit the message.  

    Meredith Sands’ ‘Grab n’ Go’ at Nancy Margolis Gallery came down May 19, but follow the gallery and Sands’ personal site to learn more.  And always follow @sharks_eat_meat for awesome daily art and culture news.  

Review by John Coulter

DAY 2785 - Free Bird

Painting by Morgan Santander

DAY 2784 - Confound

Photography by Elisa Garcia de la Huerta

DAY 2783 - Chicagoans 5

Artwork by Cecilia Beaven

DAY 2782 - Casa Encantada

Painting by Paula Duró and Alejandro Sordi

DAY 2781 - Ame Illustration II

Artwork by Jamal Makin Shabazz

DAY 2780 - Nimeta Black Leather

Photography by Angela McCormick - Model Nimeta Music

DAY 2779 - Baudelaire

Photography by James Meyer - Model Madday Russell

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.