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

“Tian’anmen” is the first solo exhibition in Los Angeles from Ma Yanling. LA Contemporary is hosting the show of recent mixed media paintings.

Ma Yanling, Tian’anmen-B, 2007.

Ma Yanling extends her expression through painting, photography and performance. These painted canvas giclées demonstrate facets of each approach. Yanling photographs her suicide performances and prints them on canvas. The reproduction is then hand painted utilizing a traditional Chinese technique that is composed of eighteen distinct strokes. The fine brushwork is weaved on the surface actualizing a veiled conclusion.

Ma Yanling, Tian’anmen-Gray-A, 2007.

The Tian’anmen Square is a cultural center with a checkered past of protest. The government is concerned with the actions of citizens in the Square and maintains a close control over the area.

The essence of these works satisfy established convention and topical concerns. The statements are not a lionization of violence. The artist makes a call for political change with her display of the paramount in personal freedom.

Ma Yanling, Migrant Worker, 2008.

Ma Yanling
Tian’anmen
23 May – 20 June 2009
LA Contemporary
Los Angeles

A potent mixture of media from Nathaniel Mellors is on display at Lombard-Freid Projects in NYC. The installation “Giantbum” was produced for the 2009 Tate Britain Triennial and incorporates performance,video, sculpture and prints.

The story of “Giantbum” follows an absurdist script that chronicles the adventures of medieval explorers that have been ingested by a giant. Themes of language, religion, cannibalism and coprophagia are all fair game in this world. The content draws on tales from the past coupled with a contemporary sense of humor.

Two versions of the performance are projected in the gallery. The “theater” version parallels the “rehearsal” video drawing attention to alterations that occur throughout the creative process.

The highlight of the installation might be the three animatronic heads cast in the likeness of the lead character. They intone excerpts from the script and chant encouraging phrases that interact with the projected performances. You can see a short video of the trio in action right here.

Nathaniel Mellors
Giantbum
17 April – 16 May 2009
Lombard-Freid Projects
NYC