Currently in the Gallery


     

Artists Curating Artists: Two very different similar exhibitions
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APRIL 21 – MAY 27
Reception: Sunday April 23, 3:00 - 6:00.

     

 "PLASTIC FANTASTIC"
curated by Christopher Chambers
with works by Bernd Naber, Felipe Cortes Clopatofsky, Ben Beaudoin, John Monti, Jean Blackburn, Krzysztof
Zarebski, Peter Soriano, Bruce Moore, Doreen McCarthy, Cassandra Lozano, Susanna Starr, and David Fried.

     
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PLASTIC FANTASTIC

PLASTIC FANTASTIC comprises innovative current sculptures and bas-reliefs focusing on the use of tangible synthetic new media such as plastics, epoxies, and the like to create an abstracted and futuristic art that stylistically draws on many sources; from current industrial design to modernism in general. The curatorial selection of works and artists featured in this exhibition is primarily cohesive for a common science fiction aesthetic and not for the medium(s) alone. But these materials do avail unique effects, so it's a bit of a “chicken or the egg” scenario. The sheer physicality of the molded and/or machined resins (plastics) and rubbers is impressive, and this show is unique partly because the popularity of these materials among many artists remains tempered by potential health hazards as well as the daunting learning curve involved in mastering the requisite temperamental and unforgiving processes. Many projects will require multi million dollar mass production facilities that are generally out of reach to the individual artist. The corporate-scale production costs for a single prototype can be staggering.

 


Christopher Chambers
Plant Life, five bouquets
cast pigmented polyurethane resin, 2006    

 
             
             
 

Cassandra Lozano
Blossom Bomb
Polycarbonate sphere, sequins, Swarovski crystal, lamp; 2005
 

One answer is the manipulation or otherwise recontextualization of prefabricated components– “found objects.” Bruce Moore and Jean Blackburn take full advantage of the cheap impression plastic elicits in our throw-away, consumer society. It is an amusing reversal, a sort of neo Arte Povera for the new century. To the other extreme, Doreen McCarthy painstakingly designs her inflated translucent forms using digital graphics programs, and outsources short run fabrication to cost effective factories both domestic and overseas.

 


Bernd Naber
Rolled Piece (s)
acrylic-paint, with plaster, expanded foam with aluminum mesh; 2006

 
 
Krzysztof Zarebski
Untitled (Green T.)
Plastic, 2006
 
Jean Blackburn
Detangler
Plastic Containers, Plastic Thread, bracket; 2004
 
Bruce Moore
Blue and Black
Plastic, Wood, Paint; 2006

   
 
Susanna Starr
 
John Monti
Magenta Smile
fiberglass, pigmented resin; 2004 - 2005
  Peter Soriano, Ben Beaudoin, John Monti, and myself, Christopher Chambers, each opt for more “hands on” approaches for the works in this exhibition, modeling forms by hand and with simple tools. Beaudoin exhibits his original models, while the others produce molds and show the final pigmented polyurethane castings. Cassandra Lozano and Susanna Starr work with prefabricated materials which are cut, tooled, or otherwise manipulated into artworks. David Fried and Krzysztof Zarebski employ combinations of these methodologies in order to achieve their unique visions.  
 

Bernd Naber and Felipe Cortes Clopatofsky are the “painters” of the group, although Naber's paintings are in this case sculptures – he uses acrylic paint as a three dimensional medium to create objects rather than images; Clopatofsky paints in the traditional sense of a picture on canvas: he renders images of plastic dolls and other objects encased in a chrysalis of resinous membranes. Each artist's approach redefines the meeting point of mode and materiality, reflecting on our stilted utopian progress and ignites imaginings of things to come as art.

- CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERS

 

 


David Fried
Stemmer No. 5 & No. 7
Solid Cast Urethane, Paint; 2006

 


Felipe Cortes Clopatofsky

 
 

Doreen McCarthy
Between Walls
Inflated Vinyl; 1996

 


Ben Beaudoin

 


Peter Soriano
Orange Transport
polyester, resin, bag strap; 2001

 
 
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The Shore Institute of The Contemporary Arts | 20 Third Avenue | P.O. Box 4045 | Long Branch, NJ | 07740-4045

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