LOOK INTO MY OWL

Mary Reid Kelley recently opened her first solo show in NYC. Two videos are being shown at Fredericks & Freiser on W. 24th Street. Both of these pieces utilize live action performance in combination with stop motion animation. The effect, along with the heavy World War I era influence are a visual banquet.

Mary Reid Kelley, Sadie, The Saddest Sadist, still from video, 2009.

The speech in her videos is broken down into sets of consonantal and vocalic alliteration that further disfigure the principals of the exchange. In “Sadie, The Saddest Sadist”, rhyming patterns of speech overlay a story of destroying to consume.

Mary Reid Kelley, Sadie, The Saddest Sadist, still from video, 2009.

“The Queen’s English”, a previous video will be running parallel to the headliner. Language again is the catalyst to a visual breakdown. The beauty in deterioration is explored through an anecdote of bereavement.

Mary Reid Kelley, The Queen’s English, still from video, 2008.

Mary Reid Kelley
Sadie, The Saddest Sadist
1 September – 3 October 2009
Fredericks & Freiser
NYC

An exhibit of sculpture and photographs from Roman Signer is on view at Häusler Contemporary in Munich. “Der Letzte Schnee” (The Last Snow) is comprised of work created in 2009 specifically for this show.

Roman Signer, Beim Chef (With the Boss), 2009.

Water in it’s many forms has been a reoccurring theme in the Signer’s work over the past four decades. Following the physics of fluid his artwork is intended to take the shape of it’s container. These boundaries have been set like a science experiment with the results firmly established as art.

Roman Signer, Fenster (Window), 2009.

Room is left for variables in these investigations. More than simply proving a hypothesis, the artist is interested in data that falls beside success. Hit or miss the denouement always entertains the unpredictable. The detachment involved in calculated performance is at once broken when the artist hand delivers a small box of snow to the doorstep of a participant.

Roman Signer, Schnee (Snow) 3, 2009.

Roman Signer
Der Letzte Schnee
25 June – 5 September 2009
Häusler Contemporary
Munich, Germany

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