Christopher Ulivo @ Susan Inglett Gallery Feb. 15 - March 17

When the groundhog leaves his den
Reception Thursday, February 15



Christopher Ulivo’s first exhibition at Susan Inglett Gallery consists of fresco –style (?) paintings that reveal a deadly role reversal in which man attempts to subdue the powers of the natural world.
They evoke memories of the tall tales of Paul Bunion purging the western wilderness of chaos and establishing order on the wild natural world or John Henry raging against the machine to find out how unforgiving the wilderness really is. American folk ideas about the expansion of a young nation stabbing westward into uncharted and untamed territory are ripe for metaphor. Ultimately the story of man vs. nature can here be interpreted as the struggle between rational man and his animalistic primal urges. Through the theme of the foolishly brave explorer he is creating a mythology based around the familiar images of this lore. Potentially violent monkeys, orange and yellow skies and other bizarre creatures and phenomenon reinforce the element of mythic time he is trying to create against the backdrop of epic wilderness. Conceptually these paintings work very well and really provoke you to engage the idea behind the paint. I disliked the rendering, which I thought was tighter and more successful in his series of gouaches from 2004. Susan Inglett Gallery is located at 534 West 22nd St. Log on to http://www.inglettgallery.com for more information.

Refreshments:
Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw Blend Chardonnay (aka Two Buck Chuck) in a plastic cup
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in a bottle

Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw Blend Chardonnay or Two Buck Chuck has a nice pear aroma, and flavor notes of pear and oak. It was medium bodied, and had good clarity. For the price you’re not going to find much better than this folks. Although Two Buck Chuck doesn’t taste exactly like a good Chardonnay should, it does go down smooth and it doesn't have that lingering aftertaste that plagues other wines in its price range. As usual I would have preferred a proper glass to drink from but when I stepped in to this street level gallery to get out of the snow and blistering west side cold I was happy to down a plastic cup of this adequate wine.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is universally known as a great beer with a hoppy fresh nose. Beautifully golden with a grapefruit and orange peel aroma that finishes well with a bitter smack. For all you beer aficionados who scorn the American beer palate this one may just surprise you. Just as tasty from the bottle as it is with a frothy white head from a pint glass, this beer goes great with a gallery crowd of young artsy hipsters and veterans to the scene that are looking for quality unpretentious refreshment and a descent exhibition of contemporary narrative oil paintings.

Jason Hackenwerth @ Lyons Wier - Ortt Feb. 15 - March 17

Liminal Space
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

Robert Sagerman @ Margaret Thatcher Projects Feb. 15 - March 24

Activity - New Paintings
Reception Thursday February 15




Refreshments:
Ferrande Maison Nicolas Sauvignon Blanc 2005 & Seltzer
in a plastic cup