Reception Thursday, February 15
Jason Hackenwerth has been working with Anna Ortt for many years and creates kinetic installations of strangely organic, latex beings that appear either extra-terrestrial or supernatural in origin. Having widely exhibited internationally over the last few years, participating in art fairs such as Scope in Miami and London, Art Basel and Megamite in Las Vegas and New York -this guy is getting the attention he deserves. He has even done public art projects for the 51st Venice biennale so he is upwardly mobile in the business.
There is something wicked and erotic in all of Hackenwrth's work. This time the gallery is transformed by a new entity that morphs the space into a house of relics and rituals.
Hands down the work is crafty and fun to look at but it gave me an uneasy feeling as well. Too large for the space it was difficult to step back and take in the whole creation. Perhaps that is why they decided to include large face mounted photographs of the sculpture out of doors and dangling by a crane in a more open space. In an accompanying video the artist is consumed and reborn from his creation reinforcing the feeling that you just missed a great moment and are left with only the remains of a scared profane ritual. Hackenwerth explains the work best himself, “Everyone has seen a child with a long skinny balloon twisted into a poodle or a sword. One could almost say that a carnival or birthday party wouldn’t be complete without them. It is arguable that these balloons have become synonymous with festive occasions. Using the very same balloons to create large-scale sculptures and installations borrows from that celebratory concept. With brilliant colors and amazing translucent characteristics, these inflated creations are immediately recognizable as exuberant expressions of life. Their ephemeral nature is an unmistakable reflection of our own. Because of their delicateness, it is difficult to predict exactly how long inflation will last. Under ideal circumstances with subtle lighting and cool climate control, the life expectancy is ten to fourteen days. During this time, these vibrant organic forms undergo a process of transformation metaphorically similar to our own short lives. Shrinking and shriveling as they age, their spring-like luster sadly wilts, and in the autumn of their existence they can be seen struggling desperately against gravity as they slowly slip away.”
Want to find out how long this sculpture will last befor it begins to deflate and collapse in on itself? log onto http://www.lyonswierortt.com or Visit Lyons Wier-Orrt at 511 West 25th St. for more information
Refreshments:
A couple of 16oz Budweisers in a can
There are so many reasons to hate this beer. Even though it has a cool can, this beer insults my intelligence. It has practically no head and a chemical skunk nose from which I cannot detect the presence of a single necessary ingredient used in the production of beer. Budweiser, Bud or ”The King of Beers", appeals to the lowest common palate in every possible way. Perhaps thats it's charm. So when they are giving icy cold cans away for free in a giant bucket strategically placed under a gigantic balloon animal god, somehow Budweiser seems to be an apropriate choice of refreshment and any offense you might feel towards this beer is lost after your second can. Long live the king
0 comments:
Post a Comment