~meanwhile, over in BASEL . . .

they look to be …….. ‘doing the . . . ROB PRUITT’ !!

or: YOU BE – PUNK’D !!

say what ?
why, that be – a new dance version – of that ole art world game, called – ‘appropriation’ !!
it’s a little hard to define.

but, basically, you know, that: OTHER ARTISTS’ WORK – APPROPRIATION – RIFF. CRAZ-EY DANCE – THING ?!!
it’s been going on for a long time. JEFF KOONS & RICHARD PRINCE probably hi-lited the ‘genre’.
but this time – the joke’s on Rob, !! how fun, ya gotta love it.

it’s kinda like an in-house – prank. Rob Pruitt being a self-declared and newly aspiring master of the ‘take’ – ‘appropriated’ images – attributed mostly by implication, and some not so obvious.
you know: improv. sometimes it is unintended, but that makes it even more freaky, no ?
the ultimate – random – match-up ?
most of the time – it’s just part of the on-going creative dialog.
unless it’s Richard Prince doing the Marlboro man ? Shepard Fairey and the A.P. photo of Obama ?
. . . and, don’t be treading on my photos, yo – that’s copyright infringement . . . damn straight.

TOM HOLMES, ‘Untitled Monument (Booberry on Blocks)’, 2011
Inkjet, watercolor, ink on paper, 11.75 x 11.75 in.

now showing at the BUREAU, NEW YORK booth / LISTE 16, BASEL ART FAIR.
JUNE 13 – 19, 2011


ROB PRUITT – GOOGLE EYES CARDBOARD MONSTER, at his one person show,
‘PATTERN & DEGRADATION’, this past SEPT 2010 – at Gavin Brown’s.
don’t remember the exact dimensions, but it’s life-size.

I think the google eyes were wired to move . . .

so, I didn’t really like this show – when I first saw it. spatially, it didn’t exactly hit the floor running . . .

but now, I really really love some parts of it, like this piece. drop-dead great – esp seeing it again, through new eyes.

. . . and, I could name 5 more artist – ‘appropriations’ – than the NEW YORK TIMES and TIME OUT did. but when the ‘appropriation’ source is not as easy to spot, and name check, and therefore credit the work to . . . like a big name like RICHARD PRINCE . . . and it’s derived from a way less-known artist – who remains unaccredited for his thoughts – it’s not so funny. esp if it’s close to home.

maybe if Rob would itemize his ‘appropriations’ – like he did his email log !! it would be a step-up, in the game. I mean, even conceptually. if not to actually help shed some light on some lesser-known talent !!
as, if . . .

so I guess you could say I didn’t like the show for its lack of: inspired/over-all composition – and for ‘political’ reasons.

but as I looked back at the show, just now – to grab those cardboard google eyes, I realized their image had stayed with me. burrowed in. made a lasting impression. . . I kinda realized – I was actually really really liking the show, gallery spatial dynamics and political agendas aside – better and better.

esp when it came to the individual stuff in the MACARONE side . . . and esp with these new TOM HOLMES dance moves . . . intended or not intended. entering the picture.
pun or no pun intended.
just the juxaposition is enuff . . . to make you look back, twice-over.

and, NOT !!
just cause I caught ALFREDO MARTINEZ – in front of the ROB PRUITT – ‘KITLER’ WALL – !! – at the opening.

. . . . with a great hair cut, bye the way.

and lookin’ as . . . cute as a panda bear !!
and, yo – that PANDA painting was good. as good as ever.

and so was this one. my fav !!

what can I say. words fail me. ya gotta love it – esp the second time around.
super slick. too cute. sick. fab. a kind of defining moment. esp graphic design-wise.
how about: ‘souvenir’ art – for the decade.

ALL PHOTOS FROM THE ROB PRUITT OPENING – ‘PATTERN & DEGRADATION’. SEPT 2010.
AT GAVIN BROWN’S ENTERPRISE & MACCARONE, NYC – BY NANCY SMITH.

THE TOM HOLMES IMAGE – IS COURTESY/BUREAU, NEW YORK.