James Kalm
INTRODUCING Regina Rex in Bushwick
Big Picture at PRISKA C. JUSCHKA FINE ART
James Kalm was asked to take a peek at "Big Picture", and because he's a painting fan, he obliged. This show is curated by Tom Sanford and Ryan Schneider, and presents a selection of diverse styles and approaches to contemporary figuration. From Colleen Asper's Neo Classic rendition of a witness on the stand to Wes Lang's accumulations of tattoo logos, these artists all bring the narrative of their lives into the realm of painting. "Big Picture" is a cross section of what's happening now with figurative painting in New York. Includes an interview with Tom Sanford.
The Tell-Tale Heart (Part 2) at JAMES COHAN GALLERY
Despite the summer heat, there's a chill of death emanating from the James Cohan Gallery with this presentation of "The Tell-Tale Heart (Part 2)". In this exhibition, curated by Elyse Goldberg, many of the works, produced by some of today's most recognized artists, deal with the transitory nature of flesh and the fragile state that we, the living, inhabit. Includes views of works by Maya Deren, Jesper Just, James Ensor, Kota Ezawa, Hanne Darboven, Dash Snow et al.
Swell: Art 1950-2010 at Petzel and Metro Pictures
Charlotte Posenenske Reconfigured by Rirkrit Tiravanija at Artists Space
Rirkrit Tiravanija has established "Relational Aesthetics" as one the art world's current new movements. However, for this "intervention" he was invited to reconfigure "Square Tubes Series D", 1967, by Charlotte Posenenske with some personal alteration of the piece. Tiravanija decided to place all the Square Tubes on rolling dollies and invite attendees to simply roll them into whatever configuration they wish.
Brion Gysin: Dream Machine at the NEW MUSEUM
James Kalm, through his studies of the "beat" artists, has heard rumors of the legendary Brion Gyson for years, but it wasn't until this New Museum show, put together by Laura Hoptman, Kraus Family Senior Curator, with assistance from Amy Mackie, that he was able to experience the work that spawned the myth. Since the New Museum's relocation to the Bowery, this is their first show dedicated to a dead artist. Gysin is probably best known for his long term collaboration with William Burroughs, and his invention of the "cut-up" technique, which he gifted to Burroughs and used to great effect in his collage and poetry. With over 300 works, including the famous "Dream Machine", this show should be required viewing for anyone wishing a deeper understanding of the "beat". Includes an interview with Laure Hoptman and a conversational tour with Valery Oisteanu.
Tom of Finland and then some at FEATURE INC.
James Kalm makes his way to the Lower East Side digs of Feature Gallery to preview this exhibition. Touko Laaksonen better known as Tom of Finland (1920-1991) was a pioneer of the erotic, concentrating on male homosexual fantasies. Developing his style and subject matter during the buttoned down 40s and 50s and it wasn't till the mid 70s that he began to receive the international recognition for his work that it deserved. Also included are views of works by artists who have drawn inspiration from Tom's work like Richard Prince, Judy Rifka, Larry Clark, Robert W. Richards, Brian Kenny, Sean Landers, and Raymond Pettibon among others.
Le Tableau at Cheim & Read and Shape Language at Klagsbrun
James Kalm, like the whole city, is sweltering in summer heat, and it seems local curators are trying to lower the temperatures in galleries by presenting a couple of exhibitions showing cool abstraction. "Le Tableau" curated by Joe Fyfe at Cheim & Read is a pairing of classic postwar abstract styles that contrasts American and French examples by some of the most influential artists of the last fifty years. "Shape Language" deals with current abstraction, and the vocabulary of forms used. Several works harken back to a previous generation's pioneers of shaped abstraction like Ellsworth Kelly and Frank Stella. Includes a brief interview with Joe Fyfe.
Charles Burchfield at the WHITNEY Curated by Robert Gober
James Kalm appreciates the efforts of the Whitney Museum and celebrity curator Robert Gober and is thrilled to bring viewers this glimpse of Charles Burchfield's "Heat Waves in a Swamp". Although classified as an "American Scene" painter during the 1930s, Burchfield was a true visionary artist. Using the humble medium of watercolor, his interpretations of the landscape and rustic urban settings, vibrate with a hallucinatory exuberance. Whether forest, field or street Burchfield's vision was open to cosmic harmonies that could overwhelm with their intensity or sometimes disturb with disquieting sinister qualities. Includes extended statements on the artist by curator Robert Gober.
Dead Flowers at PARTICIPANT INC.
On the evening of June 20, 2010 in conjunction with the exhibition "Dead Flowers," a group show based on the work of actor/director Timothy Carey, a selection of performance pieces were presented at Participant Inc. "Veil" by Johanna Constantine is a mysteriously disturbing yet poetic "dance" alluding to flight and perhaps the rebirth of the soul. Genesis Breyer P-Orridge is well known for his/her work with the proto Punk band Throbbing Gristle. In the 1990s, with his second wife, Lady Jaye, P-Orridge began an ongoing experiment in body modification aimed at creating one pandrogynous being named "Genesis Breyer P-Orridge". In this performance P-Orridge is accompanied by the recorded voice of the late Lady Jaye. Marti Domination & Beaut riff on classic burlesque, using the novelty item known as a whoopee cushion to great effect.
