John Waters
dal 19/11/2003 al 3/1/2004
Segnalato da
19/11/2003
John Waters
Rena Bransten Gallery, San Francisco
Flop. John Waters' new work has been described as 'impish, cunning, charming and cheesy'. These traits combine to create the allure and complexity in his art and film work that have made Waters a cult figure.
Flop
Opening November 20 and running through January 3rd, the Rena Bransten Gallery
will exhibit new photographs and sculptures by John Waters.
John Waters' new work has been described as "impish, cunning, charming and
cheesy". These traits combine to create the allure and complexity in his art
and film work that have made Waters a cult figure. Long ago he declared "open
season" on the vagaries of the film industry - actors, writers, directors,
producers - anyone who took him or herself too seriously. Now he has added to
that target industry "the art world" - collectors, artists, curators and dealers
- who also operate in the rarified world of illusion, theory, and concept and
sell a product that is mostly a visual experience.
Waters prefers that his film and fine art careers be considered separately, but
there is a great deal of overlap. Since many of his art pieces are manipulated
photographs, mostly of shots of rented VHS tapes off his TV screen, he can use
the format of one industry to poke fun at the other. There are barbs directed
at "the art world" in his films, and hilarious parodies of film genres in his
art. Nothing is sacred and violation is rampant - even an homage can deliver a
lethal punch. Citing the film industry's propensity to use a mentally
handicapped character as a star vehicle and titling the piece "Retard" would be
an example of Water's cutting humor, but he may take aim at characters from his
own films as well.
The works in his show, "Flop", will include original art; film stills, collages,
and doctored images that examine Hollywood hype and lambaste the world of
celebrity. The works also address the pressures and obsessions of Waters own
artistic process including photographs of his compulsive and ever-expanding "To
Do" lists, a series of blank TV screens symbolizing "Writer's Block", and a
needlepoint throw-pillow with every filmmaker's worst fear - "Flop"- in large
black letters on it's bile green cover.
Waters' artworks have been exhibited in New York, London, Milan, Vienna, Los
Angeles, Atlanta, and New Orleans. He had a solo show at the Wexner Center for
the Arts in 1999, and was included in exhibits at the Aldrich Museum of
Contemporary Art, and the Contemporary Art Center in Cincinnati. He has a new
book, John Waters Change of Life, that will accompany an exhibition of his work
at the New Museum in New York in 2004.
Reception: Thursday, November 20, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:30 to 5:30, Saturdays 11 to 5. For
more information, please visit our website at or
contact the gallery directly at (415) 982-3292.
*The Gallery will be closed from December 21 through January 1, 2004.
Rena Bransten Gallery
77 Geary Street
San Francisco