LOOK INTO MY OWL

It is safe to turn off the television for the next few months as there is a constant sideshow on stage in London’s historic Trafalgar Square. Antony Gormley has invited 2400 people to occupy the fourth “empty” plinth for one hour each over the course of 100 days. The entire spectacle is being broadcast via live streaming video at One & Other.

Antony Gormley, One & Other, still from video, 2009.

The Fourth Plinth was constructed in the 1840’s to support an equestrian statue. Owing to financial shortcomings, the statue was never erected and the plinth has stood vacant. In 1998 commissioned works from contemporary artists began to appear atop the structure and Gormley’s project is the latest installment.

Antony Gormley, One & Other, still from video, 2009.

The democratization of space in one of the most recognizable spots on the planet is a moving gesture. The intent of the artist is for the public to encounter ideas that their neighbors feel are important. These living statues may choose to forward a cause, express personal issues or just spend an hour doing nothing. The experiment promises a current portrait of the United Kingdom. I’m hoping that the exhibit grows into a traveling show.

Antony Gormley, One & Other, still from video, 2009.

“One & Other” is a fitting title for this brilliant piece. There is a strong draw to find out how the “plinthers” will use their hour in the spotlight. At the same time, Gormley incites us to ponder the things that we cherish. What would you do?

Applications for time slots are still being taken. Head to the website for details. Below you will find a video where Antony Gormley describes his project in detail.

Antony Gormley
One & Other
6 July – 14 October 2009
Trafalgar Square
London

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

J. MAYER H. is an architecture firm based in Berlin. The company was founded in 1996 by Jürgen Mayer H. and now employs the collective talents of more than sixty creative minds. “Patterns of Speculation” is their first solo museum exhibition and is currently on view at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The designs are on the wild end of the spectrum. Often times architecture this visionary drifts from intended purpose into an aesthetic abyss. J. MAYER H. succeeds in the basic principals of construction while excelling in the experimentation of design theory. These are extraordinary structures built with real people in mind.

The basic principal followed by the studio is derived from data protection such as the linings found in privacy envelopes. The intricate designs for the envelops are often made from logos or overlapping alphanumeric text. When examined closely, the web of information creates endless variety in the collision of forms. J. MAYER H. hunts the best of these chaotic moments and incorporates them into their structural designs.

With over thirty-five designs finished, many of which have already been built, J. MAYER H. has emerged as a prolific force with aggressive designs. Head over to the website and take pleasure in the future of today.

J. MAYER H.
Patterns of Speculation
6 February – 7 July 2009
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

An excellent series of gallery entryway photographs by Andy Freeberg are being shown at the Rosier Gallery in San Francisco. The gallery operates by appointment only, contact them at (415) 753-1214 to schedule a viewing.

Here is what Freeberg has to say about “Sentry”:
“It was an odd moment when I walked into that first gallery in Chelsea and saw a large white desk with a head poking up from the top edge of the computer screen. I took out my camera, carefully framing and exposing the scene, and the head never moved or took notice of my gaze. As I walked around that booming Chelsea neighborhood of art galleries, I began to notice a trend: at some of the biggest galleries there are giant entry desks, where the top of the head of the desk sitter is often the only other human presence. This leads me to wonder, in this digital world of email and instant messaging that supposedly makes us more connected, are we also setting up barriers to the simple eye to eye contact that affirms our humanity?”

I see the tall desk as a necessity and yes, we have one at our gallery, NOWhere Limited. The importance of a first impression is critical. If you enter a gallery and are met with magazines and sketchbooks in use by the gallery sitter then you are likely to be distracted. This wall hides the clutter and leaves the visitor free to concentrate on the artwork unaware of the double tall latte.

The rule at our space is to make eye contact and offer a greeting. Anything less is inexcusable. Of course, some days are better than others.

Andy Freeberg
Sentry
5 March – 2 June 2009
Rosier Gallery
San Francisco

Atelier Van Lieshout is the name of the studio/workshop headed up by Joep van Lieshout. Since their beginning in 1995 the collective goal has been to build creative solutions for contemporary living. The current exhibition at the Tim Van Laere Gallery is a display of recent sculptural works and drawings.

The studio explores the ideaologies of both utopian and dystopian societies. Creations range from small machines to full blown self sufficient communal architecture.

Head over to the Atelier Van Lieshout website to see some of the architectural projects and their impressive workshop. The studio appears to be living the life they prescribe.

Atelier Van Lieshout
29 January – 14 March 2009
Tim Van Laere Gallery
Antwerp, Belgium

It is the final week to catch the Zaha Hadid exhibition at the Sonnabend Gallery in New York. Kenny Schachter/ROVE joined forces with the gallery to bring together this excellent show of sculptures, reliefs, hybrid design objects and paintings from one of the most prolific architects working today.

For more than thirty years Zaha Hadid has been creating architecture that has gotten the attention of her peers and neophytes alike. The organic forms that flow in the spaces she creates are recognizable and enduring. The designs are so radical that in our wildest dreams of the future they will still be considered contemporary.

Hadid has made a career of embracing new materials and technology. Her vigilant search for new forms combined with an experimental nature have allowed for an overspill of ideas into many media which have been assembled for this showing.

Zaha Hadid
1 November – 12 December 2008
Sonnabend Gallery
NYC

The Hammer Museum is currently showing a retrospect of the career of John Lautner. Several large scale models of key projects were created for the exhibit as well as digitally animated walkthroughs giving the audience a chance to “move” through the spaces. “Between Earth and Heaven” is also exhibiting archival drawings and production models that allow for a look into the creative process.

For nearly six decades Lautner amazed the public and professionals alike by producing incredibly unique and influential structures. His buildings have been settings in feature films including “The Big Lebowski”, “Body Double” and “Diamonds are Forever”. John Lautner didn’t believe that his work was futuristic, his opinion was that good architecture exits out of time. It’s certain that future generations will pause when confronted with his portfolio.

Between Earth and Heaven
The Architecture of John Lautner
13 July – 12 October 2008
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles