~JCP/A New High in Getting Low
‘A New High in Getting Low (NYC)’
FEBRUARY 23 – MARCH 29, 2008
JOHN CONNELLY PRESENTS – 625 W27TH STREET – CHELSEA – NYC
This big group survey show – also scored a write-up in last Friday’s NEW YORK TIMES – MARCH 7, 2008 (by KAREN ROSENBERG). It’s the NYC expanded version of the original presentation. which took place at the Berlin GERMANY gallery – Artnews Projects, last OCTOBER 2007.
MS. ROSENBERG wrote: “Art made in New York since 9/11 is the theme, or rather the mood, of this 36-artist group show… With oblique references to the economy and to drug culture, the title suggests a citywide diagnosis of post-traumatic stress or even a kind of manic depression.”
artlovers was at the opening, alerted to the show by JEFFREY TRANCHELL, who had several friends in the show. here’s a bunch of pix from the opening, which took place on FEB 23, 2008.
JOHN CONNELLY
ELI SUDBRACK aka ASSUME VIVID ASTRO FOCUS
(that’s gallerist JACK HANLEY behind him, at left of photo.)
ASSUME VIVID ASTRO FOCUS, ‘hands’, 2007, hi-fi print & sequins, 50 x31.6 ins., edition 1 of 3 AP1
detail, ASSUME VIVID ASTRO FOCUS, ‘hands’
SCOTT HUG – always to be counted on – to have focused & twisty, most often politically pointed, work in any show he’s in . . .
outdid himself, with this subtle, yet deeply provocative piece. MS. ROSENBERG was struck by it too, she wrote . . “Resurrected Pop describes the work (of Tom Burr…), and that of Scott Hug, whose ‘JFK’ (2007) pairs a black mirror with a photograph of President Kennedy in dark shades. One is celebratory (Tom Burr), the other mournful; both feel current.”
SCOTT HUG, ‘JFK’, 2007, black mirror, digital print on canvas, custom frame, diptych, each: 15-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 1-3/4 ins.
TOM BURR, ‘Slacks’, 2008, wood, magazine pages, book pages, thumb tacks, gold mirrored plexi – also scored a mention in the NEW YORK TIMES as . . “celebratory” & “current”.
JOSHUA SMITH – with a piece many were talking about at the opening – as being the metaphorical and tangible cornerstone of the show.
a view of JOSHUA SMITH’S ‘Untitled’, 2008 – an Eliptical trainer coated in black enamel paint.
detail, JOSHUA SMITH, black enamel painted Eliptical trainer.
our very fave piece, among many faves !! in the whole show – so cool. a hanging light !!!
BRIAN CLIFTON, ‘I want to believe in something. My stepfather recently passed away. NFS. “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind.” Self-stylization distorts a genuine personality. Feeling openly influenced by someone, and this being a sign of love. February 2008. My sense of self as formless and relative. Compassion. I enjoy nice lighting’, 2008 – hanging light, Dimensions variable.
MICHAEL PHELAN, ‘Tomorrow’s a new day…’, 2008, (black) Glass rocks on the floor
A. L. STEINER, ‘Surviving is criminal, modernity is pornographic’, 2008, 4 digital c-prints, various dimensions
detail, A.L. STEINER, ‘Surviving is criminal, modernity is pornographic’.
another MICHAEL PHELAN piece, ‘Crazy Time’, ‘How Can I Help?’, and ‘Hi Bob?’, – all images 2008, ea. 30 x 22 ins., edition 2 of 10
frame from: SAM GORDON, ’24 HOURS In NEW YORK (The Lost Kinetic World, Volumes 1-12), 2005-7, i-Pod, cord, set of 12 dvds; index and text, edition 2 of 7
PETER COFFIN had work in the show – he also has a solo showing coming up, in fact opening MARCH 22, 2008, at ANDREW KREPS.
TRAVIS BOYER and A.K. BURNS. Travis had work in the show.
LISA KIRK, said to have helped organize the show, also had work in the show – she’s clutching her ‘bumper sticker’ – ‘I LOVE GLOBAL WARMING’
at right, JUSTIN SAMSON. he had an installation of several components, which were assemblages and sculptural and very tribal in feel. they were brought to life on opening night by a (tribal) performance by LABANNA BLY
JUSTIN SAMSON, the opening night live performance, intertwined into his sculptures – just beginning to take off.
a better view of the JUSTIN SAMSON installation.
detail, JUSTIN SAMSON, ‘Hall of Loss drummer’, 2008
JUSTIN SAMSON – ‘Pre-atlantian Ritualistic Artifacts’, 2008
JUSTIN SAMSON + LABANNA BLY – detail of the opening night performance
LABANNA BLY – she made her – ‘pre-Atlantian’ – voice changer mask
KRISTIE BROWN and GENEVIEVE KANMEL. KRISTIE and GENEVIEVE with LABANNA BLY, are the core members of an all-girl music collective – ORGY AZTEC !!
gallery goers at the opening were encouraged to join in – this is Angie.
JUSTIN SAMSON and LABANNA BLY.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
see: gallery installation shots/JCP