LOOK INTO MY OWL

“I am Erwin Wurm,” a showing of mixed media works from Erwin Wurm is currently on display at Galleri Bo Bjerggaard in Copenhagen. The artist worked closely with the gallery along with the Brandts Art Hall in the city of Odense which is hosting a concurrent exhibit of larger scale works.

Erwin Wurm, Big Coat, aluminum and paint, 88 x 32 x 25″, 2010.

The photographs and the sculptural elements both evoke an unnerving sensation as Wurm introduces chaotic touches that force adjustments to nearly universal perceptions. There is a sense of the artist waiting for these ideas to emerge over time. Simple moments of genius do not abound, they require patience and demand discipline. Erwin Wurm has been at this practice for some time and he keeps getting better.

Erwin Wurm, Untitled, c-print, 45 x 57″, 2009.

“I am Erwin Wurm” the title of this exhibit demonstrates the confidence in intellect that is required to produce these works. In an often dramatic and generally over sensitive “art universe” Wurm is one of the good guys that reminds us that the mind, his and yours, is a funny place.

Erwin Wurm, Idiot III, c-print, 36 x 29″, 2010.

Erwin Wurm
I am Erwin Wurm
11 March – 25 June 2011
Galleri Bo Bjerggaard
Copenhagen

“Unhuman” is the second solo show that Trevor Paglen has had with the Altman Siegel Gallery. His recent photography is on display at the San Francisco gallery and will remain there through April 2nd.

Trevor Paglen, They Watch the Moon, c-print, 48 x 36″, 2010.

Paglen defines his interest with photography as the “practice of seeing with machines.” The directness of this approach has yielded some stunning results. Amplified vision and time sensitive visual representations offer impossible views of this world and beyond. Something unknown is always being seen with our new tools and this artist is marking the changes.

Trevor Paglen, Trevor Paglen – Artifacts (Spacecraft in Perpetual Geosynchronous Orbit, 35,786 km Above Equator) (Detail, part two of diptych), c-print, 50 x 40″, 2010.

The body of work in this exhibition has the camera turned inward and outward. We get to watch the watchers using the same dirty tricks we’ve come to expect. “Unhuman,” as represented in this context does not refer to a shortcoming of technology as it may have in the past. It’s a descriptor of the new found comfort level with our increased capabilities. For better and worse, it is a sign of what we have become.

Trevor Paglen, Reaper Drone (Indian Springs, NV Distance ~ 2 miles), c-print, 36 x 30″, 2010.

Trevor Paglen
Unhuman
10 February – 2 April 2011
Altman Siegel Gallery
San Francisco

Eight large photographs from Christopher Bucklow make up the current show at Danzinger Projects in NYC.

Christopher Bucklow, Tetrarch 3:38 PM 8th October 2008, unique cibachrome print, 2008.

These life sized photograms (a process invented by Man Ray) are made in a four step process. First, the artist traces the shadow of his model onto a thin sheet of aluminum. The defined silhouette is then run through with small holes, one for each day that the subject has been alive. The metal is placed over a large sheet of photographic paper and exposed briefly to the sun.

Christopher Bucklow, Anima 7, unique cibachrome print, 2009.

The direct “negativeless” approach to photography may be in danger of disappearing along with other forms of the traditional chemical method. It’s nice to see that some artists still work within the medium and are achieving great results. These portraits capture something more than a shape, Bucklow references this in connecting the amount of light to the age of the sitter. The prints are limited to one each. The radiation sensitive material is exposed creating an image as unique as the person it captures.

Christopher Bucklow, Tetrarch 2:29 PM 8th October 2008, unique cibachrome print, 2008.

Christopher Bucklow
10 September – 23 October 2010
Danzinger Projects
NYC