LOOK INTO MY OWL

The first retrospective on U.S. soil for the legendary Dan Graham is currently on view at the Whitney Museum in NYC. The museum has a rich program of exhibitions for the summer including Sadie Benning, Claes & Coosje and Photoconceptualism. I’ll be in the city for a few days in August and the Whitney is a guaranteed stop.

Dan Graham, Figurative, 1965.

Dan Graham has exhibited extensively since the 1960’s pioneering some now fundamental concepts that are in play through every conscious mode of expression. He was among the few that understood that it was conceivable to mash minimalism with rock music, high art and tract housing. The practice of contrasting opposing cultural preferences was unusual and even regarded with apprehension. Brave experimenters like Graham nudged us all a bit into the future.

Dan Graham, Detail from Homes for America, 1966-67.

Graham has enjoyed success in many media including print, film, performance and architecture. The artist has imbued each aesthetic with a flow of heady notions cooked down to simple principles.

Dan Graham, Performer/Audience/Mirror, 1977.

In keeping with the spirit of their subject for this retrospect, the Whitney is hosting a wide array of events. The show opened with an acoustic concert by the Feelies with more music planned through July. There are also film screenings, discussions, and a conversation with Dan Graham and Glenn Branca on tap. Check the schedule as you may want to plan several trips.

Dan Graham, Skateboard Pavilion, 1989.

This is the second leg of the tour for “Beyond”, the exhibit was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles earlier this year and continues on to the Walker Art Center in the Fall.

Dan Graham
Beyond
25 June - 11 October 2009
Whitney Museum of American Art
NYC

Yumiko Kayukawa is preparing to open her first solo show at the Joshua Liner Gallery in NYC. “Higashi No Kamisama (God From the East)” contains new paintings from the artist, please enjoy this special preview to the exhibit.

Yumiko Kayukawa, Cookie Time, 2009.

The common theme that is woven into these paintings is the powerful female lead and her “Snow White” alliance with the animal kingdom. The omniscient mother nature figure is a concept that appeals to every human.

Yumiko Kayukawa, Cookie Time, 2008.

Kayukawa presents a mixture of old and new, East and West in her compositions. Her paintings display a love for contemporary Western culture combined with a reverence to the time honored techniques of her Japanese heritage.

Yumiko initially traveled to the U.S. in 1997 and caught her first glimpse of Japan from the outside. This trip formulated her goal for combining the conventions that she was immersed in with her romantic associations toward America. She taunts each extreme with her flourishing personal narrative.

Yumiko Kayukawa, God From the East, 2009.

Yumiko Kayukawa
Higashi No Kamisama (God From the East)
11 July - 8 August 2009
Joshua Liner Gallery
NYC

Until now, the Killingstar website was annihilated after each update. The site has been revamped to include an archive and selected press from 2008.

Killingstar, Caringstar, 2008.

We are in the midst of planning a large off-site exhibition from Killingstar for this October. Keep checking NOWhere Limited for details as they emerge.

Killingstar, Heavy Eight Metal Spitter (black), 2008.

Killingstar has been quiet while preparing for the show but you can expect at least two new print releases this Summer.

Killingstar, Progeny (Infrared), 2008.

Killingstar
New site design
killingstar.com

Steve Horvath of D&L Screenprinting in Seattle makes some of the finest prints that you will find anywhere. Our gallery, NOWhere Limited recently got together with D&L to produce an exclusive print for Mark Mothersbaugh. More on that release coming soon. D&L was nice enough to give us a rare photographic glimpse into their process.

D & L Screenprinting, Drinkin’ with Cyclops, production photo, 2009.

D&L has done prints for some of the most influential rock poster artists working today including Jermaine Rogers, Justin Hampton, Emek, Rob Jones, Todd Slater and many more.

D & L Screenprinting, Drinkin’ with Cyclops, production photo, 2009.

The studio churns out an incredible amount of work while maintaining the highest standard of quality. The gallery is pleased to be working with D&L and hope that it is the beginning of a long relationship.

D & L Screenprinting, Drinkin’ with Cyclops, production photo, 2009.

More photos after the jump including your first look at “Drinkin’ with Cyclops” the exclusive print coming soon from Mark Mothersbaugh and NOWhere Limited.
Read the rest of this entry »

Ajit Chauhan’s altered album covers are on display in NYC. “ReRecord” is the artist’s second exhibition at the Jack Hanley Gallery.

Ajit Chauhan, Untitled (record cover), 2009.

Chauhan sands down discarded record sleeves to achieve this fascinating effect. In removing the branding of the label, the artist succeeds in reducing commercial products to statements of personal taste. This is achieved by erasing objectionable elements in the popular compositions leaving an intimate display of preference.

Ajit Chauhan, Untitled (record cover), 2009.

The figures have been stripped of identity and even sex in these tributes to anonymity. Beyond the beat and measure, popular music is ultimately determined by the hair.

Ajit Chauhan, Untitled (record cover), 2009 (detail).

Ajit Chauhan is also including in the show his sculptures known as “The Psuedoscopes” (not pictured). The mirrored boxes exchange visual information between the left and right eye. The transposition of ocular reference contradicts perception resulting in objects moving toward the viewer seem to be drawing away. These pieces offer a direct correlation between science and art. They are intended to be experienced rather than read about so head over to the gallery and let me know what you think.

Ajit Chauhan
ReRecord
20 June - 31 July 2009
Jack Hanley Gallery
NYC

Yesterday I tipped you off to the release of “The 27 Club” print from PNE (Post Neo Explosionism). It is the first collaborative art print from the trio of Jermaine Rogers, Justin Hampton and Emek. Both editions sold out instantly, I did warn you.

If you follow our gallery, NOWhere Limited you have noted that we have worked individually with each member of PNE. One of the joys of our business is working with friends. Our relationships over the years led to the gallery having a place in this collective effort. It is with great pride that we introduce “The 27 Club NOWhere Limited (Gallery Edition)”. Click here for a larger image.

Post Neo Explosionism, The 27 Club, NOWhere Limited Gallery Edition, 2009.

The NOWhere Limited exclusive was made possible by special arrangement with PNE and represents the rarest and final edition of this instant classic. More information will be available soon including release date so get on the mailing list to stay tuned. For now we can tell you that this edition is limited to only 27 signed & numbered prints.

Post Neo Explosionism
The 27 Club NOWhere Limited (Gallery Edition)
release date to be announced

PNE (Post Neo Explosionism) is set to release their first collaborative art print tomorrow, June 19, 2009. This astonishing work is the result of the collective efforts of Jermaine Rogers, Justin Hampton and Emek.

Post Neo Explosionism, The 27 Club, 2009.

Twenty-seven has historically been a difficult age for musicians. The queer connection between greatness and death at this tender age has been pontificated on endlessly over the years. Despite the rhetoric, we are no closer to understanding the pattern of expiry during the twenty-seventh passage of the earth around the sun. From left to right, this seven color serigraph presents Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and the angel with devil wings in the background is the “Grandfather of Rock ‘n’ Roll” Robert Johnson.

Post Neo Explosionism, The 27 Club (Black “Glow” Edition) 2009.

Both the color and glow in the dark editions will be released simultaneously between 3 and 4pm Eastern at this link. You will want to be on time as these prints will not last long. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you. Good Luck!

Post Neo Explosionism, The 27 Club (detail), 2009.

Post Neo Explosionism
The 27 Club
releases 19 June 2009

The fourth incarnation of “Raised Eyebrows / Furrowed Foreheads” from John Baldessari is on view at Mai 36 Galerie in Zürich.

John Baldessari, Raised Eyebrows / Furrowed Foreheads: (with Apple), 2009.

In the late 1960’s Baldessari removed his hand from the art making process. He abandoned the physical surface of paint in favor of the appropriation of commercial imagery. The game became the rule and left Baldessari free to roam the conceptual expanse. Paint remains a component of the procedure in a reduced form of monotone colored shapes.

John Baldessari, Raised Eyebrows / Furrowed Foreheads: Three UFOs Aloft, 2009.

Raised eyebrows exist in opposition to the furrowed forehead. It is one or the other, an attempt to carry both expressions resolves in a look of confusion. The struggle of opposing attitudes has kept Baldessari busy and his followers transfixed throughout his career. The equation may be repeatable but each new piece manifests as unique. In the art world, the division between “high” and “low” has subsisted despite continual intermingling. The artist celebrates the middle ground with examples that derive power from irreconcilable antagonism.

John Baldessari, Raised Eyebrows / Furrowed Foreheads: Woman (with Semaphore Flags), 2009.

John Baldessari
Raised Eyebrows / Furrowed Foreheads:
7 June - 8 August 2009
Mai 36 Galerie
Zürich