LOOK INTO MY OWL

For one week, the Dillon Gallery has opened its beautiful ground floor space in Chelsea to the scent sculptures of internationally recognized perfumer Christophe Laudamiel.

Christophe Laudamiel, Phantosmia, installation view, 2012.

The smell that hits the visitor as they enter the gallery is titled “The Remembrance of Things Lost”. The critical components that went into the production of the rich discharge were inspired by the life of Marlene Dietrich. Each tent cordoned off individual auras with the overall gallery aroma serving as a reference to recalibrate the nose.

Christophe Laudamiel, Phantosmia, installation view, 2012.

I’m quite accustomed to having my senses plucked when encountering artwork but this groundbreaking effort shifted my sensitivities to a variety of pongs encountered elsewhere that evening. Gallery night is a vision quest for me but I was pleased to have Laudamiel open my nose to other possibilities. It was a surprise to feel the wildness of “The Banana and the Monkey” and pure delight to emerge from the face twisting enclosure entitled “Fear.” The installation is only in place for a few more days so move quickly to see… er, smell this one.

Christophe Laudamiel, The Banana and the Monkey, exhibition label, 2012.

Christophe Laudamiel
Phantosmia – all but the smell
25 January – 1 February 2012
Dillon Gallery
NYC

Images courtesy of Dillon Gallery.

Curators Lauren Gentile (Contemporary Wing) and Ginger Shulick (Big Deal Arts) have pulled off a truly beautiful video exhibition. Fifty floors above the city of Miami, the Ivory Tower is a thoughtfully composed taste of pure delight. Seven artists have been brought together to showcase a diverse menagerie of work. Moving room to room in this wonderful space located in the Marquis Residences building was an adventure that held surprises around each corner. If you are in Miami for the art fairs, do not miss this stunning event.

Tiffany Carbonneau, Here and Now, unique projection approximately 20 stories tall, DVD, 22 minutes, 2011.

Tiffany Carbonneau, Here and Now, unique projection approximately 20 stories tall, DVD, 22 minutes, 2011.

Phillip David Stearns, Apeiron / Peras V & IV, DVD with bonus material, 21 minutes, edition of 500, 2009.

Nia Burks, Angry Gamers, DVD, 3:03 minutes, edition of 5 + 2 AP, 2011.

Nia Burks, Angry Gamers, DVD, 3:03 minutes, edition of 5 + 2 AP, 2011.

Nia Burks, Angry Gamers, DVD, 3:03 minutes, edition of 5 + 2 AP, 2011.

Sean Capone, High Rise, DVD, 6 minutes, edition of 10, 2011.

Paul Moakley, Balls Flying Everywhere, DVD, 30 minutes, edition of 25, 2011.

Paul Moakley, Balls Flying Everywhere, DVD, 30 minutes, edition of 25, 2011.

Paul Moakley, Balls Flying Everywhere, DVD, 30 minutes, edition of 25, 2011.

Paul D. Miller (DJ Spooky), Ice Sonification, Antarctica Project, DVD, 8:08 minutes, edition of 5 + 2 AP, 2011.

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Alex Villar, Breaking into Business, DVD, silent, 9 minutes, edition of 5 + 2 AP, 2011.

View from the Ivory Tower exhibition, 2011.

Ivory Tower
1 – 4 December 2011

“Cylinder,” a mixed media sculpture from Leo Villareal is currently installed at the Gering & López Gallery in New York City. It is the fourth time that the artist has had a solo exhibit with the gallery. The viewer clearly benefits from the chemistry that has developed between creator and venue.

Leo Villareal, Cylinder, white LEDs, mirror finished stainless steel, custom software, electrical hardware, 12 x 9 x 9 feet, 2011.

Suspended amidst small shards of mirror finished stainless steel, more than twenty thousand while LED lights have been tuned to dim and brighten in concert. The artist has likened the time based piece to a musical score. The pulsations mount frequencies through the optic nerve that can result in a light hypnotic shift.

Leo Villareal, Cylinder (detail), white LEDs, mirror finished stainless steel, custom software, electrical hardware, 12 x 9 x 9 feet, 2011.

The exhibit is titled “Volume” and contains one piece of sculpture, “Cylinder.” The space in between the edge of the lights and the surrounding walls is very important to Villareal. The light pulsing on the wall behind you and the shift to dark that happens on the others that you are with is all part of the art. Step into this thoughtful sequence and you become it while it becomes you.

Leo Villareal, Cylinder (detail), white LEDs, mirror finished stainless steel, custom software, electrical hardware, 12 x 9 x 9 feet, 2011.

Leo Villareal
Volume
4 May – 25 June 2011
Gering & López Gallery
NYC