Two exhibitions
dal 29/4/2004 al 5/6/2004
Segnalato da
29/4/2004
Two exhibitions
Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago
Friese Undine, Nature Boy. Primatologist Franz de Waal states, 'Between kissing and severe biting there is a whole continuum of inhibited biting, mock biting, playful gnawing and love bites.' Artist Friese Undine loosely bases some of the work in this exhibition on these words. Coke Wisdom O'Neal, Medicine Cabinet (Portraits). Name one space in your home that reveals more about who you are than anywhere else. Many suggest their refrigerator, trashcan, desk drawer, or mantle of family snapshots but a medicine cabinet? New York artist Coke Wisdom O'Neal discovers a way to divulge one's character in a single photograph.
Friese Undine Nature Boy
Primatologist Franz de Waal states, 'Between kissing and severe biting there
is a whole continuum of inhibited biting, mock biting, playful gnawing and
love bites.' Artist Friese Undine loosely bases some of the work in this
exhibition on these words. De Waal's analysis of a primate's romantic
behavioral pattern itself has become the artist's statement, and represents
a theme of this show.
Working with varied media Undine examines the primitive nature of humanity
and places both man and monkey back together again. His paintings continue
in his tradition of propaganda with text informing the work and poetically
commenting on the ideals of relationships, culture, and politics.
Compositionally, his work resembles classic vintage posters that might have
been taped to kiosks in the 1920's.
One component of the show is a collaboration with Joe Szentivanyi, video
artist. Szentivanyi, documented the performance of My Life in Law
Enforcement performed with Theater Oobleck, and edited the work to be a
freestanding video collaboration. The same Oobleck production featured a
sculptural puppet theater also on display during this exhibition.
It is difficult to describe Undine's work. The very act of paraphrasing it
is contradictory to his approach. Like many artists, he prefers to let the
work speak for itself. He includes text only to emphasize further the
obscurity of the piece‹redirecting or diminishing any preconceived notions.
The subjective is what makes his art complete.
__________
Coke Wisdom O'Neal Medicine Cabinet (Portraits)
Name one space in your home that reveals more about who you are than
anywhere else. Many suggest their refrigerator, trashcan, desk drawer, or
mantle of family snapshots but a medicine cabinet? New York artist Coke
Wisdom O'Neal discovers a way to divulge one's character in a single
photograph.
The artist finds his way into the bathrooms of relatives, friends, even
sometimes strangers, and snaps pictures of the hidden mecca behind their
mirrors. Only making sure that the names are concealed, O'Neal
voyeuristically examines the truth contained on the small shelves of
medicine cabinets. His work thrives on an inquisitive arrogance, and pure
curiosity.
Each photograph, an entire inner view of the cabinet, is sealed with
plexiglas and mounted on a sheet of aluminum. It is a portrait of an unknown
individual and his/her means of survival. This exhibition is not an
advertisement for the various ointments, drops, and prescriptions on the
market today, but a fascinating glimpse of contemporary reality. This
secretive yet obvious display of culture, ironically exemplifies health
awareness and the misguided conformity to the social requirement for
excessive good hygiene. O'Neal is giving us a chance to better understand
ourselves by prying into other's lives.
Who/What: Gallery 1 Friese Undine Nature Boy
Paintings, Video, Books, and Ephemera Artist's Reception Friday,
April 30th, 6-9 PM
Gallery 2 Coke Wisdom O'Neal - Medicine Cabinet (Portraits)
Photographs Artists' Reception Sunday, May 9th, 10AM - 1PM
(during ArtChicago)
When: April 30  June 5, 2004 Gallery Hours: Tuesday  Saturday
11:00 AM Â 5:30 PM
Where: Aron Packer Gallery 118 N Peoria Chicago IL 60607