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New Work - Hamiltonian Gallery | February 20, 2010 - March 20, 2010
Opening reception: Saturday, February 20, 2010, from 7 - 9 p.m.
Hamiltonian Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of new works by Alex Kondner, Hamiltonian Fellows Ian MacLean Davis, Linda Hesh and Bryan Rojsuontikul, opening Saturday, February 20, 2010. Through the repetition of a particularly burdened word, object, material or image, each artist utilizes the visual residue of popular culture to address the roots of current sociopolitical mores.
In the series Evacuate, Alex Kondner trades in the seemingly nonessential physical attributes of traditional artist materials for disposable ones, such as play-sand and faux fur. Excerpts from historical speeches and 80's New Wave song lyrics mix to comprise the neon-colored sandy text in three paintings. In other paintings, the repeated word "evacuate" fills the surface of the canvas while screen-printed images of apocalyptic Japanese landscapes float on top. The contrasting elements of Kondner's pieces bring to mind the blur of today's frenetic visual culture.
Ian MacLean Davis appropriates imagery from mass-produced sources drawn from fine art and pop culture. Davis then distorts and layers these images to depict how technology and information saturation affect our memory and perception of gender. Two paintings, Golem and Lithe, bring to mind clichéd male and female bodies from popular media. Pours of syrupy paint are covered by overlapping threads of viscous enamel, masking an underlying image and portraying the murky lens with which the two sexes view each other.
In the Garden is the tale of original sin retold by Linda Hesh using apples laser-etched with the word "EVIL." Hesh places the glossy, imprinted apples in various scenarios to photograph, including EVIL on a shelf amongst marred Disney princess figurines, EVIL in an artist's studio, EVIL in proximity to a serpent, and the moment just before EVIL is bitten by a little girl. The EVIL apple installed in different settings conjures up the complexities of how we view gender. Hesh also presents the jarred EVIL apples freeze-dried or preserved in denatured alcohol as a metaphor for the upholding of ancient stereotypes of male and female roles. A time-lapsed video depicts the EVIL apple disintegrating, which represents the breakdown of gender disparity.
In Words in Space, Bryan Rojsuontikul creates minimalist works by spray painting text on canvases faced with tiny foam balls that make up the underlayment of linoleum tile. One work consists of the phrase "Art is Cancer" repeated on canvases differing only in their background colors. Below the canvases, 80 silver floor tiles reflect the phrase back at the viewer. Rojsuontikul relates this to the subtle evolution and growth of art, which he believes cannot be hindered or rationalized.
This exhibition will run from February 20, 2010 until March 20, 2010, with an opening on Saturday, February 20, 2010, from 7-9 pm. Please join us!
Please contact Hamiltonian Gallery Director Jacqueline Ionita with all inquiries. 202.332.1116, Jackie [@]hamiltoniangallery.com
eventsBut is it Archival? - Hamiltonian Gallery | Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 7:00 pm
The Smithsonian Institution's Nora Lockshin will lend her incredible expertise and present a slide talk and open discussion about methods, materials and preservation of art in any media form, from creation, through exhibition, to acquisition and conservation.
Please RSVP to this event if you plan to attend.
Panel Discussion - Hamiltonian Gallery | Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 7:00 pm
Exhibiting artists Alex Konder, Linda Hesh, Ian MacLean Davis and Bryan Rojsuontikul will be discussing how they each draw from the current social, political, and popular culture.
Please RSVP to this event if you plan to attend.
fellow related events"Iraqi Memorial" at Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery, University of Nevada - Reno, NV | February 15 - March 12, 2010
Symposium: Thursday, March 4, 3:00 - 5:00 pm, at Knowledge Center Auditorium
Linda Hesh will be exhibiting work at Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery in Reno, NV as part of the Iraqi Memorial Exhibition.
"all after all before" at Causey Contemporary - Brooklyn, NY | February 11 - March 15, 2010
Opening Reception: Friday, February 12, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Magnolia Laurie will be having a solo show at Causey Contemporary in Brooklyn, NY.
"3D: Contemporary Collage" at Caroll Square Gallery - Washington, DC | January 19 - March 26, 2010
Leah Frankel will be exhibiting work at Caroll Square Gallery with Kyan Bishop and Elizabeth Kendall.
"This World, Other World" at Burlington City Arts - Burlington, VT | February 19 - March 27, 2010
Opening Reception: Friday, February 19, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Magnolia Laurie will be exhibiting work in This World, Other World, a group show at Burlington City Arts in Burlington, VT.
"TRUST and DOUBT Benches" on display at West Mt. Royal near Oliver - Baltimore, MD | On view until May 2010
Linda Hesh's TRUST and DOUBT Benches will be on display in Baltimore, MD.