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14/10/2004

Karen Savage

Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago

'Leçons de mariage" (Marriage Lessons)

The starkness of black --the cool of white --and the translucent grays make the photogram sublime. It's one of the most compelling and beautiful in the world of contemporary art and photography. Karen Savage is a master of metaphorical poetry and aggressive in the execution of this medium.

Leçons de mariage translates as marriage lessons. The nuance of French is applicable here. This notion came from a book by Alice Kaplan called "French Lessons". Savage is a Francophile. Formally, there are no gray areas in French; there is always only black and white. Her desire is to make the analogy, in this body of work, to the learning of a lesson. Each photogram speaks to the idea of marriage as a cultural construct. The images represent the spectacle of the wedding -- customs are practiced and the objects are acquired in and for the domestic space, while the wedding becomes an event of the past.

These images are spectres, the residue of a set of learned social conventions: the mystique of the wedding dress, the dying anniversary bouquet, the dresser scarf that has seen better days. All of this represents the way time unravels within this union; they are portentous visual signifiers, emotionally charged and, ironically elegant.

Jerry Bleem Piecemeal

From a distance, Jerry Bleem's sculptures are elegant, curved shapes. Possessing various degrees of formal complexity, these works sit quietly, Zen-like, and, as the viewer approaches, gradually reveal their elaborate surfaces. At first appearing stitched and tactile, when the steel staples are recognized as the mark-making device, the sculptures turn from soft to prickly. In effect, Bleem creates a skin that separates inside from outside. Openings of various sizes invite visual or imagined exploration of the contained space.

The densely stapled materials reveal themselves with various degrees of ease. Bleem uses fish scales, beer cans, plastics, blueprints and even pages from a book printed in 1709. No armatures or adhesives are used in the construction of individual sculptures. Rarely valuable, sometimes transformed and always cut into small pieces that allow the artist to negotiate a variety of bends and twists, these connected and embellished bits of matter document a slightly unnerving aggression. Jewel-like, these small-scale sculptures invite close examination and, by extension, challenge one's ability to perceive.

Image: Karen Savage, Front

Who/What:
Gallery One: Karen Savage 'Leçons de mariage' (Marriage Lessons) Photograms
Gallery Two: Jerry Bleem*** Piecemeal Sculpture
When:
October 15 ­ November 13, 2004
Artists' Reception: Friday, October 15, 6-9 PM
Gallery Hours: Tuesday ­ Saturday 11:00AM­ 5:30PM

There will be a special gallery talk with Jerry Bleem on Saturday, October 23 at 2PM in conjunction with Chicago Artist's Month.

Please also note the West Loop Gallery District presents 'Passport to the West Loop', a walking tour/treasure hunt throughout the district on Saturday, October 16th from noon to 6 PM. For more info please contact Aron Packer @ (312) 226-8984

Where:
Aron Packer Gallery
118 N Peoria
Chicago, Il 60607

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